Sudden Death, Abuse and Factitious Illness

Unexplained sudden death and the likelihood of drug abuse.

The common history of drug abuse in adults with an undetermined cause of death has led us to hypothesize that chronic drug abuse increases the risk of sudden death. To begin evaluating this hypothesis, we conducted a retrospective case-control study of 61 decedents whose cause of death remained undetermined following autopsy matched one to one to a control group of pedestrians or passengers kil...

Alcohol and drug abuse: causes of sudden death.

Autism, child abuse, and sudden infant death syndrome.

The current literature regarding the standard and nonstandard therapies for children with autism is reviewed. A long term, comprehensive, individualized, multidisciplinary approach remains the best treatment. Physicians caring for the victims of child abuse are frequently asked to render an opinion regarding soft-tissue bruising. A review of the literature suggests that estimation of the age of...

The relationship of drug abuse to unexplained sudden death.

CONTEXT Forensic pathologists regularly investigate the deaths of individuals with a history of drug abuse. Autopsy, including toxicology testing, reveals no cause for death in a subset of this cohort. OBJECTIVE To determine whether deaths with an undetermined cause and manner of death are associated with a history of drug abuse. DESIGN Retrospective matched case-control study of 52 deceden...

Sudden death due to adrenal neuroblastoma: child abuse mimic?

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common malignancies in children. It is a tumor that can clinically present with varied symptoms that can mimic other entities, including child abuse. It is important that forensic pathologists are aware of the diseases that can masquerade as child abuse. A case of sudden, unexpected death in a 2-year-old due to previously undiagnosed neuroblastoma is presented. ...