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Fatal methadone intoxication in an infant
Fiona J Couper1, Kiran Chopra, Marie Lydie Y Pierre-Louis
1Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 1910 Massachusetts Avenue SE, Building 27, Washington, DC 20003, USA. fiona.couper@dc.gov
Forensic Science International
|June 9, 2005
Summary
A 10-month-old infant died from methadone intoxication. Toxicological analysis confirmed lethal methadone levels in blood, leading to a homicide determination in this infant fatality case.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pediatric Pathology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Investigating infant fatalities requires comprehensive toxicological analysis.
- Accidental or intentional drug exposure can be a cause of death in infants.
- Methadone is a potent opioid analgesic with significant risks.
Observation:
- An unresponsive 10-month-old infant was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
- Autopsy findings were unremarkable, necessitating detailed toxicological investigation.
- Initial screening involved gas chromatography and immunoassay techniques.
Findings:
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed methadone presence in subclavian blood at 0.67 mg/L.
- The cause of death was officially determined as methadone intoxication.
- The manner of death was classified as homicide.
Implications:
- This case highlights the critical role of forensic toxicology in determining cause and manner of death in infants.
- Understanding methadone pharmacokinetics is crucial for interpreting toxicological results in pediatric cases.
- Such findings underscore the importance of safe medication storage and supervision to prevent accidental or intentional exposure in children.