Death due to Sickle Cell Anaemia: Autopsy Diagnosis

Sickle haemoglobin is highly prevalent in Vidarbha region with prevalence rate of 4–40%. It has variable clinical presentation and most of the Indian patients remain asymptomatic for longer periods. Less numbers of deaths are reported due to this cause because of ignorance of autopsy surgeon in considering this disease as a cause of death despite of its high prevalence. While doing autopsy in cases of deaths with no apparent cause and physical over activity medical officer must keep in mind the possibility of death due to vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease. Presenting herewith two case reports that highlight the importance of considering sickle cell disease as a cause of death in cases with no apparent cause especially in highly prevalent areas. Similarly during autopsy, the role of proper histopathological sampling, haematology slides, Hb electrophoresis and toxicological analysis is considered with proper analysis of results.