Lung, Liver and Skin Changes in an Infant with Positive Methamphetamine

Abstract

Background

The increased use of illicit drugs continues to lead to the discovery of various unexpected pathologies.

Case presentation

This 7-month-old infant died suddenly at home. Pulmonary artery fibrinoid necrosis, diffuse fatty liver changes, and skin rash were the main histologic postmortem findings. Postmortem urine contained traces of methamphetamine. Methamphetamine was smoked by the parents.

Conclusions

Fibrinoid necrosis has been described with inhaling methamphetamine and can result in fibrinoid angiitis such as in this case. Although this did not result in pulmonary hemorrhage or could be directly related to death, it does suggest that pulmonary artery fibrinoid necrosis may develop with passive inhalation of methamphetamines.

Keywords:

• Fatty liver
• fibrinoid necrosis
• methamphetamine
• postmortem
• sudden infant death

Availability of data and materials

Data can be shared upon request.

Competing interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study did not receive funding from any party.