Journal of Forensic Sciences 2010-03-01

Death of a 10-month-old boy after exposure to ethylmorphine.

Arne Helland, Christina V Isaksen, Lars Slørdal

Index: J. Forensic Sci. 55(2) , 551-3, (2010)

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Abstract

Ethylmorphine, an opiate that is partially metabolized to morphine, is a common ingredient in antitussive preparations. We present a case where a 10-month-old boy was administered ethylmorphine in the evening and found dead in bed the following morning. Postmortem toxicological analyses of heart blood by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the presence of ethylmorphine and morphine at concentrations of 0.17 muM (0.054 mg/L) and 0.090 muM (0.026 mg/L), respectively. CYP2D6 genotyping showed that the deceased had an extensive metabolizer genotype, signifying a "normal" capacity for metabolizing ethylmorphine to morphine. The autopsy report concluded that death was caused by a combination of opiate-induced sedation and weakening of respiratory drive, a respiratory infection, and a sleeping position that could have impeded breathing. This is the first case report where the death of an infant has been linked to ethylmorphine ingestion.