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Forced suffocation of infants with baby wipes: a previously undescribed form of child abuse

Scott D Krugman1, Patrick E Lantz, Sara Sinal

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Franklin Square Hospital Center, 9000 Franklin Square Dr., Baltimore, MD 21237, USA.

Child Abuse & Neglect
|July 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body aspiration in infants, such as baby wipes, can be fatal. This case series highlights abusive suffocation as a cause, urging medical evaluation for child abuse in affected infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body aspiration is a common pediatric emergency with high mortality.
  • Abusive foreign body suffocation is an underreported cause of infant mortality.

Observation:

  • A case series of four infants presenting with baby wipe aspiration was analyzed.
  • All infants were victims of physical child abuse.

Findings:

  • Baby wipe aspiration in infants is linked to severe morbidity and mortality.
  • Associated injuries from abuse were noted in all cases.

Implications:

  • Infants with baby wipe aspiration should be suspected of being victims of child abuse.
  • Physicians must conduct thorough evaluations for non-accidental trauma in these cases.
  • Comprehensive assessment should include oropharyngeal, skin, skeletal, and head injuries.
Abstract

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