Postmortem diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration

Forensic Sci Int. 2005 Dec 1;155(1):1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.10.014. Epub 2004 Dec 18.

Abstract

Beside morphological signs of hypertonic dehydration as tinting of skin, sunken eyes, dry surface of the galea or dry cutting areas of organs, a chemical profile of vitreous humor was proposed as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration. The profile consists of an elevation of sodium >155 mmol/l, chloride >135 mmol/l and urea >40 mg/dl. This profile was named dehydration pattern. The value of this dehydration pattern for the diagnosis of hypertonic dehydration will be discussed by a short review of the literature and case reports. So far, the published literature on the dehydration pattern is not a sound scientific basis for the diagnosis of dehydration.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chlorides / analysis
  • Dehydration / diagnosis*
  • Forensic Pathology / methods
  • Humans
  • Sodium / analysis
  • Urea / analysis
  • Vitreous Body / chemistry*

Substances

  • Chlorides
  • Urea
  • Sodium