Lightning Deaths: A Retrospective Review of New Mexico's Cases, 1977–2009

Pincus, Jennifer L.; Lathrop, Sarah; Briones, Alice J.; Andrews, Sam; Aurelius, Michelle B.

doi:10.1111/1556-4029.12546

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…By contrast, a decline in lightning fatalities in recent decades has been reported from developed countries 24 – 27 , reasons for which are: development of medical responses and treatments; education of the public; meteorological warnings; and improved building codes for lightning protection. The latter include housing structures with grounded plumbing, electric conducting materials, improved fire resistance of homes, and lightning rods 28 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lightning Injury is a disaster in Bangladesh? - Exploring its magnitude and public health needs

Biswas¹,

Dalal

Hossain³

et al. 2016

F1000Res

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Background: Lightning injury is a global public health issue. Low and middle-income countries in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world are most affected by lightning. Bangladesh is one of the countries at particular risk, with a high number of devastating lightning injuries in the past years, causing high mortality and morbidity. The exact magnitude of the problem is still unknown and therefore this study investigates the epidemiology of lightning injuries in Bangladesh, using a national representative sample. Methods: A mixed method was used. The study is based on results from a nationwide cross-sectional survey performed in 2003 in twelve randomly selected districts. In the survey, a total of 819,429 respondents from 171,336 households were interviewed using face-to-face interviews. In addition, qualitative information was obtained by reviewing national and international newspaper reports of lightning injuries sustained in Bangladesh between 13 and 15 May 2016. Results: The annual mortality rate was 3.661 (95% CI 0.9313–9.964) per 1,000,000 people. The overall incidence of lightning injury was 19.89/100,000 people. Among the victims, 60.12% (n=98) were males and 39.87% (n=65) were females. Males were particularly vulnerable, with a 1.46 times increased risk compared with females (RR 1.46, 95% CI 1.06–1.99). Rural populations were more vulnerable, with a 8.73 times higher risk, than urban populations (RR 8.73, 95% CI 5.13–14.86). About 43% of injuries occurred between 12 noon and 6 pm. The newspapers reported 81 deaths during 2 days of electric storms in 2016. Lightning has been declared a natural disaster in Bangladesh. Conclusions: The current study indicates that lightning injuries are a public health problem in Bangladesh. The study recommends further investigations to develop interventions to reduce lightning injuries, mortality and related burden in Bangladesh.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lightning Injury is a disaster in Bangladesh? - Exploring its magnitude and public health needs

Biswas¹,

Dalal

Hossain³

et al. 2016

F1000Res

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“…Findings of aspiration pneumonia, pulmonary oedema and alveolar haemorrhages may also be there. 20,21…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Filigree burns of a lightning strike: A case series

2021

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Lightning is the discharge of an electric charge forming in the atmosphere between the earth and clouds which travels downward in a branching pattern. It is estimated that there are some 1800 active thunderstorms at any given moment. Lightning may injure or kill a person by a direct strike, a side-flash or conduction through another object. Agricultural workers are at risk in developing and underdeveloped countries, as are those engaging in sporting activities elsewhere. Fatalities resulting from lightning strikes may not show specific symptoms at autopsy, but there may be symptoms of burns on clothes and body and fernlike marks specific to lightning strikes on their bodies. Other signs are acute kidney failure, cardiac arrhythmias and deaths, and while internal organs may show oedema, congestion, etc, this is not in itself sufficient to establish causation. When diagnosing death from a lightning strike, it is essential to examine the deceased’s clothes, their external body and carry out a crime scene investigation. We report a series of three cases of death from a lightning strike in previously healthy men engaged in their daily activities.

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“…[15] In another study involving 54 cases in New Mexico, the mean age was reported to be 34. [18] In the study of Hekimoglu and et al, the average age of cases died due to lightning strike was 23.5. [16] The mean age of the cases in the present study was 39.66±13.36 (min: 18, max: 56).…”

Section: Agementioning

confidence: 96%

“…), and a larger part (72.2%) in non-working activities (sport outdoors, fishing, camping, boating, etc.). [18] In the study of 47 cases died by lightning strike, 48.9% of the cases were reported to be farmers. [14] In the study of Hekimoglu et al, was reported that 36.4% of cases were soldier and 36.4% were farmer.…”

Section: Scenementioning

confidence: 99%

İstanbul’da 2007-2012 Yillari Arasinda Yildirim Çarpmasina Bağli Ölümler

Hösükler

Melez

et al. 2021

Journal of Contemporary Medicine

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Objective: Lightning injuries can cause a variety of injuries including “integumentary system, cardiac system, central nervous system, eyes and ears, and blunt trauma”, in which some of them may cause death. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate crime scene findings, autopsy findings and histopathological findings by presenting 9 cases that died due to lightning strike. Material and Methods: The 9 cases (0.3%) included this study were obtained from the screening of a total 24.755 cases that were performed autopsy at the Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul between 2007 – 2012. All cases’ age, gender, crime scene, circumstances during the event, witness statement, skin lession, autopsy findings, histopathological findings were evaluated. Results: Three (33.3%) cases were female and six (66.7%)cases were male, and the mean age was 39,66±13,36 (min:18, max:56). Fatal lightning strike occurred between April and September, but mostly in May. At autopsy, an external examination was revealed an electrical exit wound in 4 cases, burn areas on the skin in 5 cases, a Lichtenberg figure on the skin in 2 cases, and a burn in the hair surface in 4 cases. Conclusion: As a result, nonspecific findings are frequently detected in autopsies performed due to lightning strikes. However, crime scene investigation and the testimony of the witness may be the crucial indicative evidence for forensic investigators in getting an accurate diagnosis in cases of suspected lightning strikes. In addition, examining the clothes worn by victims provides important clues in diagnosis.

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Lightning Deaths: A Retrospective Review of New Mexico's Cases, 1977–2009

Cited by 13 publications

References 6 publications

Lightning Injury is a disaster in Bangladesh? - Exploring its magnitude and public health needs

Lightning Injury is a disaster in Bangladesh? - Exploring its magnitude and public health needs

Filigree burns of a lightning strike: A case series

İstanbul’da 2007-2012 Yillari Arasinda Yildirim Çarpmasina Bağli Ölümler

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