Journal Published Online: 01 May 1995
Volume 40, Issue 3

Detection of Drugs-of-Abuse in Meconium of a Stillborn Baby and in Stool of a Deceased 41-Day-Old Infant

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

When blood or urine is unavailable, postmortem meconium or stool from infants or stillbirths can be used to detect drugs-of-abuse, thus providing datum in assessing drug-abuse exposure.

Two case reports illustrate how drugs-of-abuse findings in postmortem specimens were used to substantiate exposure prior to death or a history of maternal drug abuse. The first, a congenital hydrocephalus, born to a non-drug abusing mother, expired at the age of 41 days, had opiates in the stool by screening method, enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique, confirmed by gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis. Investigation revealed that morphine had been administered for three days prior to death. The second was a stillbirth infant born to a drug abuser. Almost equal amounts of benzoylecgonine were found in different bowel segments, a finding consistent with admitted cocaine use throughout pregnancy.

Author Information

Moriya, F
Kochi Medical School, Nankoko City, Kochi, Japan
Chan, K-M
Los Angeles County and University of South California Medical Centers, Los Angeles, CA
Noguchi, TT
Los Angeles County and University of South California Medical Centers, Los Angeles, CA
Parnassus, WN
Los Angeles County and University of South California Medical Centers, Los Angeles, CA
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS13817J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13817J