Born from a Child: A Case Report of Foetal Autopsy in the Context of Child Marriage.

Abstract

The present case explains the medicolegal and medical complexities related to a 15-year-old married, Indian girl presenting with intrauterine foetal death and diagnosed with anencephaly in her foetus by autopsy examination. The patient, brought to a peripheral health centre with acute abdominal pain, had a history of six-month amenorrhea. The consultant notified the case to police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and conducted the elective expulsion of the deceased foetus following confirmation of intra-uterine foetal death. Autopsy revealed severe congenital malformation, anencephaly. The article also highlights the intersection of child marriage and congenital anomalies, demonstrating how socio-economic and cultural factors exacerbate health risks in young girls. Legal frameworks such as the POCSO Act, 2012 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006 aim to protect minors but face challenges due to societal acceptance of child marriage and conflicting religious laws. This case underscores the need for comprehensive legal reforms, integrated healthcare services, and educational interventions to address these systemic issues and safeguard the rights and health of vulnerable populations.