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Trends of infanticides in northern Tunisia: A 40 years study (1977-2016)
Mehdi Ben Khelil1, Ilhem Boukthir2, Ons Hmandi1
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia; Department of Legal Medicine, Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
Insights
This study analyzed 513 infanticide cases in northern Tunisia from 1977-2016. Neglect was the primary cause of death, with low prevalence compared to European studies, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Medicine
- Public Health
- Demography
Background:
- Infanticide, defined by the Tunisian Penal Code as maternal filicide at birth, lacks regional studies.
- Limited official statistics exist for infanticide in North Africa and the Arab region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infanticide trends in northern Tunisia over a 40-year period (1977-2016).
- To provide data on the characteristics and circumstances of infanticide cases in the region.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive retrospective study was conducted.
- Data were collected from 513 infanticide cases autopsied at the Legal Medicine Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of infanticide was 0.42 per 100,000 live births annually.
- Infanticide cases frequently occurred in winter/spring, on public roads in urban areas.
- Most deceased infants were full-term, naked, with empty stomachs; neglect was the leading cause of death (49.9%).
Conclusions:
- Northern Tunisia exhibits a lower infanticide prevalence compared to European and American studies.
- Understanding infanticide patterns is crucial for developing effective prevention measures.
Background:
The Tunisian Penal Code defines infanticide as the murder committed by the mother on her child at birth or immediately after. There is a dearth of studies and official statistics on infanticide in the Arab region and North Africa.
Objective:
to analyze the infanticide trends in northern Tunisia between 1977 and 2016.
Participants And Setting:
we included all cases of infanticides autopsied at the Legal Medicine Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, over a period of 40 years (1977-2016).
Methods:
A descriptive retrospective study.
Results:
We collected a total of 513 cases of infanticide over the study period. The general prevalence of infanticide was 0.42 per 100,000 live births per year. Infanticide often occurred during the week, in winter (31.5%) and in spring (30.9%). The newborn was often found on public roads (40.9%) and in urban areas (81.4%). The newborn was often full-term (73.6%), mature, without any congenital malformation, found completely naked (75.2%) and with an empty stomach (93.7%). The umbilical cord was often cut (71.5%), not ligated (82%) with an irregular edge (64%). There was often no putrefaction (54.4%). The hydrostatic test (81.8%) and histological examination (81.1%) showed that infants had breathed. Neglect was the most common cause of death (49.9%).
Conclusion:
Northern Tunisia has a low prevalence of infanticide compared to most of the previous European and American studies. A better understanding of infanticide would allow us to adapt measures of prevention.
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