Suspicious child female deaths in Great Cairo and Giza during 2011–2012

•The number of suspicious female child deaths over a 2-years period in the Great Cairo and Giza was around 151 cases.•The majority of them were in March, adolescent group, known identity and from rural areas.•The cause of death was wounds in 43% of deaths, and the head was considered the main site to be injured.•Homicide was the main manner; the perpetrator was a relative in 50% of these cases.•Implementation of forensic medicine in our country can reduce and prevent female child abuse and subsequent deaths.

Childhood mortality is a measure of a nation's health. A statistical analysis on suspicious child female deaths was done in two years period from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2012. It's incidence was (4%) of all autopsied cases. The adolescent group (16–18 yrs) was highly involved 44 cases (27.5%). The majority of cases were known (82%) and they were from Great Cairo (60%) especially poor areas. Incidences were prevalent in March (15%), indoor (58%) and homicide was main manner in (42.5%) of cases. A relative was the main perpetrator in (50%) of homicidal cases. Wounds were observed in (43%) of cases. The head and neck regions were injured (50%) and signs of abuse were detected in (16%) of the studied cases. These results may be a guide for developing prevention policy.