Maternal drug and alcohol use is a risk factors for sudden unexpected infant death. Drug testing may play a role in the investigation of a sudden and unexpected infant death.
Testing may include:
(1) blood
(2) urine
(3) hair (to detect long-term exposure)
(4) liver
Risk factors for unexpected death:
(1) direct sedative effect of drug
(2) inappropriate sleeping position or bedding
(3) neglect
(4) infection (HIV, other)
(5) environmental problems (carbon monoxide, abnormal environmental temperature, etc)
(6) QTc prolongation or other cardiac conduction problems
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Clinical Laboratory
