Whether a child died after birth or died before birth can be coniirmed by measuring

Options

A. the dead space air
B. tidal volume of air
C. residual volume of air
D. the weight of the child

Answer

To determine whether a child died after birth or before birth, we can confirm this by measuring the residual volume of air in the lungs. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of the process:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Residual Volume**:
- Residual volume is the amount of air that remains in the lungs after a person has exhaled completely. This volume is significant because it indicates whether the lungs have been inflated with air.

2. **First Cry of the Child**:
- After birth, when a child takes its first cry, it opens up the respiratory passages. This action allows air to enter the lungs, which contributes to the residual volume.

3. **Lung Examination**:
- To determine the time of death, the lungs of the deceased child can be examined. This is typically done by cutting the lungs and placing them in water.

4. **Interpreting the Results**:
- If the lungs float in water, it indicates that they contain air, which means the child took a breath after birth. This suggests that the child died after birth.
- Conversely, if the lungs sink in water, it indicates that they did not contain air, suggesting that the child died before birth.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, measuring the residual volume of air in the lungs is a reliable method to confirm whether a child died after birth or before birth. The correct answer to the question is option C, residual volume of air.