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Digoxin-like immunoreactivity in early infantile death
R T Couper1, J J Aldis, R W Byard
1University of Adelaide, Department of Paediatrics, Women's and Children's Hospital, South Australia.
Medicine, Science, and the Law
|March 3, 1998
Summary
Digoxin-like immunoreactivity is common in infant sera, regardless of cause of death. This study found no link between digoxin-like immunoreactivity and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or other infant mortality factors, except adrenal weight.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Neonatal Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant cause of infant mortality.
- Digoxin-like immunoreactivity (DLI) has been investigated as a potential endogenous marker in various conditions.
- Understanding DLI in post-mortem infant sera is crucial for interpreting toxicological findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether DLI levels in post-mortem infant sera differ based on the cause of death.
- To determine the relationship between DLI levels and factors such as age, post-mortem interval, cardiac pathology, and adrenal weight.
- To assess if DLI levels are specifically elevated in infants who died from SIDS.
Main Methods:
- Post-mortem sera were collected from infants who died from SIDS (n=12) and other causes (n=11).
- Blood samples were obtained from the right atrial cavity between 3 to 53 hours post-mortem.
- Digoxin-like immunoreactivity was quantified using a specific and sensitive digoxin radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- DLI was detected in 7 SIDS infants and 7 infants from other causes.
- The highest DLI levels were observed in infants who died from meningococcal sepsis and hemorrhage, hyperpyrexia, and encephalopathy syndrome.
- No correlation was found between DLI levels and gender, age, post-mortem interval, or cardiac pathology.
- A positive correlation was observed between DLI levels and adrenal weight.
Conclusions:
- Digoxin-like immunoreactivity is frequently present in post-mortem infant sera.
- DLI levels are not specific to SIDS and are not significantly higher in SIDS infants compared to infants dying from other causes.
- Adrenal weight is a factor associated with DLI levels in infants.