A fetus delivered at 30 weeks of gestation following intrauterine death shows reddish-brown skin that peels off readily, separation of the cranial bones at the sutures, and accumulation of reddish fluid in the serous cavities. There is no offensive odour. These findings indicate:

• A Putrefaction acquired after delivery
• B Mummification of the fetus
• C Adipocere formation in utero
• D Maceration, indicating intrauterine death ✓

Explanation

Maceration is the aseptic autolytic softening of a dead fetus retained in utero, mediated by sterile amniotic fluid. Skin slippage, overriding of skull bones, and reddish turbid fluid in cavities are typical, and the characteristic sweetish rather than foul odour distinguishes it from ordinary putrefaction. Mummification requires a dry environment and produces a shrunken leathery fetus, while adipocere needs moist fatty conversion and does not occur in utero.

Reference: Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.