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Petechial Haemorrhages
Unfortunately the presence of petechial haemorrhages does not
automatically point to asphyxia as a cause of death. They are fairly
non-specific in that they can be produced whenever there is a marked
or sudden increase in vascular congestion of the head that causes
rupture of capillaries.
The areas of the head that are most characteristically involved are
those that have little surrounding soft tissue support, such as the
conjunctiva, eyelids, lining of the mouth/ larynx etc. Petechiae can
therefore be produced not only during vascular compression of the
neck, but also where valsalva manouvres operate, such as during
labour, straining at stool, coughing (eg in asthma), sneezing, vomiting
etc.
gagging - the tongue is pushed backwards and upwards, and the gag
becomes saturated with saliva and mucus causing further
obstruction.
foreign body obstruction (those at risk being children/ infants, the
intoxicated and those with neurological difficulties with swallowing
etc)
swelling of the airway lining (anaphylactic hypersensitivity reactions,
or thermal/ heat injury.