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Drugs of abuse in hair: application in pediatric patients

Nadia Fucci1, Giuseppe Vetrugno, Nadia De Giovanni

  • 1Institute of Legal Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. nadiafucci@rm.unicatt.it

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
|May 14, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A child

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Child Abuse and Neglect

Background:

  • A 3-year-old boy presented with drowsiness following alleged accidental ingestion of a park-found powder.
  • The parents' account suggested an accidental exposure incident.

Observation:

  • Physicians suspected child abuse despite parental claims of an accident.
  • Hair analysis was performed to detect historical drug exposure.

Findings:

  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry confirmed morphine and 6-acetylmorphine in the child's hair.
  • Positive findings suggested prolonged opiate exposure.

Implications:

  • Hair analysis is valuable for detecting chronic drug exposure in child abuse cases.
  • This method aids in protecting children from health and social risks associated with drug abuse.
  • Findings informed juvenile court and social services involvement for child protection.
Abstract

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