Citation

Gaillard Y, Breuil R, Doche C, Romeuf L, Lemeur C, Prevosto JM, Fanton L. Forensic Sci. Int. 2011; 207(1-3): e16-8.

Affiliation

LAT LUMTOX: Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology, 800 avenue Marie Curie, 07800 La Voulte sur Rhône, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.11.010

PMID

21193274

Abstract

We reported on the death by poisoning of a one-month-old baby that had followed the death of one of her sister (due to cyamemazine overdose). Exhumation of the corpse was done 8 months after burial and revealed the presence of amitriptyline. Parent drug and its metabolite were analysed by HPLC-MS/MS in positive ionisation mode on a C(18) analytical column using a gradient of acetonitrile and 2mM formate buffer at pH=3. Quantification is based on the main ion m/z=233, the common product ion of nortriptyline (MH(+), m/z 264), amitriptyline (MH(+), m/z 278) and nortriptyline D3 used as internal standard (MH(+), m/z 267). Amitriptyline and nortriptyline in the liver were measured at a concentration of 29.8 and 3.6μg/g, respectively. Hair analyses revealed the presence of amitriptyline and nortriptyline at concentrations of 1811 and 43pg/mg, respectively, while complementary analyses showed the presence of bromazepam in the hair at a concentration of 740pg/mg, thus documenting previous administrations. The mother confessed later having used the drinkable form of the pharmaceutical LAROXYL(®) by pouring the content of a 20ml bottle (at 40mg/ml) into the feeding-bottle of her child. The milk was sweet but still bitter and following the testimony of a close relative, the whole family helped to feed the crying baby.

Language: en