TOXICOLOGY AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH

• NCJ Number: 57780
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 22 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 757-762
• Author(s): J E SMIALEK; J R MONFORTE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FOCUSING ON 130 CASES OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH (SID), THIS STUDY ANALYZES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SID AND DRUG USE.

Abstract

DRUGS WERE FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF DEATH IN SIX OF THE 130 CASES. IN 5 OF THESE CASES THE SUBSTANCES HAD BEEN PRESCRIBED BY PHYSICIANS FOR ILLNESSES. IN THE SIXTH CASE METHADONE WAS FOUND IN THE BLOOD OF AN INFANT WHOSE MOTHER WAS UNDERGOING METHADONE TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION, THE DRUG BEING TRANSMITTED THROUGH BREAST MILK. ALSO IN NONE OF THE 102 CASES OF SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS) INCLUDED IN THE STUDY DID TOXICOLOGICAL RESULTS AFFECT THE DIAGNOSIS, AND IT WAS FOUND THAT TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSES NEVER CONTRADICTED AN INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SIDS. IN ADDITION, FINDINGS SUGGEST THAT THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS SHOULD BE MADE PROMPTLY BASED ON INVESTIGATIVE AND AUTOPSY FINDINGS SINCE ROUTINE TOXICOLOGICAL TESTING IS UNLIKELY TO CHANGE THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS OF SIDS. TABULAR DATA AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (MJW)