Postmortem genetic testing in young individuals : what clinical medical practitioners need to know

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Authors

Van Deventer, Barbara Stroh
Du Toit-Prinsloo, Lorraine
Van Niekerk, Chantal

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Health and Medical Publishing Group

Abstract

The death of a young person is most often a tragic occurrence, more so when this death was unexpected. Forensic pathologists are mandated to investigate such deaths, and there has been a strong move internationally towards genetic testing as an additional investigative tool. The aim of our article is to bring the advantage of implementing the so-called molecular autopsy in a local setting to the attention of medical practitioners. When a multidisciplinary approach is taken in cases of sudden unexpected death, the benefits to family members, and society as a whole, are irrefutable.

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Keywords

Death, Young person, Tragic occurrence, Forensic pathologists, Postmortem genetic testing

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Van Deventer, B.S., Du Toit-Prinsloo, L., Van Niekerk, C. 2022, 'Postmortem genetic testing in young individuals : what clinical medical practitioners need to know', South African Medical Journal, vol. 112, no. 12, pp. 886-889, doi : 10.7196/SAMJ.2022.v112i12.16800.