Adli Tıp AD, Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Adana

Objective: Foreign body aspirations (FBA) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality which can be seen in all ages but particularly in children less than 3 years of age. In this study we aimed to reveal the general properties of deaths due to foreign body aspirations in Adana region. Material and Methods: In our study, 24 cases of which autopsies had been performed between January 1992 - June 2004 are evaluated retrospectively by reviewing the records Adana Branch of Forensic Medicine Council. Results: Deaths due to foreign body aspiration constitute 24 (0.33%) of all forensic autopsies (7288) performed in 12.5 years. 20 of cases (83.3%) were male whereas 4 of cases (16.6%) were female. Cases were aged between 1 day and 56 years. 16 of cases (16.6%) were under 3 years of age. Conclusion: Training parents and babysitters about FBA cases and basic life support procedure would reduce the frequency of FBA and preventable deaths due to FBA.