Forensic Medicine · Forensic Sexology & Obstetrics

Live Born vs Stillborn (Dead Born)

2 min read · Verified by professors

Definitions

A child is said to be live born if after complete expulsion or extraction from the mother, it shows any evidence of life, such as:

  • Breathing
  • Heart beat
  • Pulsation of umbilical cord
  • Voluntary movement

...irrespective of duration of survival.

A child that is born after the period of viability but shows no signs of life after complete birth is called a stillborn (dead-born) child.

Difference Between Live Born and Stillborn (general)

FeatureLive BornStillborn (Dead Born)
RespirationPresentAbsent
Heart BeatPresentAbsent
Umbilical Cord PulsationMay be presentAbsent
Voluntary MovementsPresentAbsent
Evidence of Independent LifePresentAbsent