Prospective Study of Sudden Natural Deaths in Young and Middle Age Group at Tertiary Care Hospital, Surat, Gujarat.

In the post–COVID-19 pandemic period, an increasing number of sudden deaths have been observed, particularly among young and middle-aged individuals in India. This trend has created a major challenge for the healthcare system in understanding the underlying pathological mechanisms responsible for such unexpected fatalities. Sudden deaths frequently generate public concern, medicolegal scrutiny, and allegations, making accurate determination of the cause of death essential. A prospective study on sudden natural deaths was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Surat from 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024. The study demonstrated that most sudden deaths occurred in adults, with a higher incidence among individuals above 30 years of age. A clear male predominance was noted, with a male-to-female ratio of 6:1. cardiovascular diseases were identified as the leading cause of sudden natural deaths, accounting for 42.72% of cases. Respiratory system diseases were the second most common cause, contributing to 36.89% of deaths. These findings emphasize the significant contribution of cardiovascular pathology to sudden deaths in the adult population. The study also highlighted the importance of histopathological examination in establishing the definitive cause of death. Histopathology played a crucial role in correlating clinical history and autopsy findings, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and strengthening medicolegal conclusions. Hence, comprehensive autopsy evaluation supported by histopathological analysis is vital in cases of sudden natural death.