TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - The toxicology of methadone-related death in infants under 1 year: three case series and review of the literature
JO  - Journal of forensic sciences
A1  - Paul, Anthea B. Mahesan
A1  - Simms, Lary
A1  - Mahesan, Arnold M.
SP  - 1414
EP  - 1417
VL  - 62
IS  - 5
N2  - Methadone-related fatalities occur rarely in infants under 1 year, with five confirmed cases in the literature. The interpretation of pediatric postmortem toxicology relies on adult data; however, infants have crucial physiological differences that may impact interpretation of results. Retrospective case review included scene investigation, interviews, autopsy, and NIH/CDC Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form. Methadone levels were confirmed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The fatal blood methadone levels in this case series ranged from 69 to 700 ng/mL. This review of the literature adds toxicological findings of three methadone-related infant fatalities and reviews the current literature on methadone-related death in infants under 1 year. With opioid use on the rise in today's society, forensic experts should have a high index of suspicion for the possibility of intentional or unintentional poisoning in infants.<br><br>© 2017 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0022-1198
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.13410
ID  - ref1
ER  -