Medical poisoning with chlorhexidine and its consequences, forensic evaluation (expert case)

This article presents a case of expert evaluation of chlorhexidine poisoning during its intravenous administration to a woman in labor who was admitted to the maternity ward for a planned caesarean section, despite only external or oral use of it as an antiseptic. The toxic effect of chlorhexidine began with discomfort in the chest, shortness of breath, then deep hypoxic phenomena appeared with absent consciousness: in the form of diffuse cyanosis of the skin, pasty face, respiratory disorders that required connection to a ventilator, a sharp decrease in oxygen saturation in the blood to 77% with a further decrease to 60%, a picture of pronounced hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. The consequences of poisoning from a forensic position are assessed as life-threatening conditions, and removal of the uterus in order to prevent profuse atonic bleeding is considered as organ loss. These signs are characteristic of causing Serious harm to health. The legal assessment of the actions of a medical worker is the prerogative of the judicial and investigative authorities