1. Serum Electrolyte Changes in Drowning Victims Mohan Kumar T S, Pradeep Kumar G Dept of Forensic Medicine K.M.C, Manipal

2. Drowning  Incidence: 150000 deaths per annum  Accidental: Children, Fisherman, Intoxicated & Epileptics  Suicidal: Women & Depressed People  Homicidal: Infants, Children & Disabled people

3. Mechanism  Asphyxia: occlusion of airways  Electrolyte Disturbances  Cardiac Arrythmias  Laryngospasm  Hypoxaemia

4. Materials & Methods  Ten year study (1993- 2002)  54 cases of drowning  Admitted to Kasturba Hospital  Case details from Hospital records

5. Results

6. Age Distribution Age in yearsNo. of cases 00- 1020 11- 2012 21- 3007 31- 4004 41- 5004 51- 6003 61- 7002 71- 8002

7. Sex Distribution Males4685% Females0815%

8. Media of Submersion Media Number Survived Died Sea water 19 16 03 Fresh Water 31 24 07 Unknown 04 04 00

9. Manner 0f Drowning Accidental4991% Suicidal036% Unknown023%

10. Electrolyte changes Fresh water IonsNo.RangeMean Na + 27122-146132.5 K + 272.4- 5.43.8 Cl - 1495- 11299.8

11. Electrolyte changes Sea water IonsNo.RangeMean Na + 18129- 155140.7 K + 182.9- 5.74.2 Cl - 1386- 116113.1

12. Discussion & Conclusion Mostly accidental Age group 0 -20 years Majority of victims were Males Fresh Water: Sea Water - 31:19 No Significant electrolyte changes HYPOXAEMIA

13. Thank you