Death associated with inadvertent hydrocodone overdose in a child with a respiratory tract infection.
A 3-year-old child died of the combined effects of a bacterial superinfection and a relative overdose of hydrocodone prescribed for a cough due to a presumed viral respiratory tract infection. This case illustrates the importance of evaluating the effects of prescribed medication in assessing the cause and mechanism of death in children dying suddenly of presumed natural disease.
D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications; D001996:Bronchopneumonia / Q000150:complications; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003061:Codeine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003371:Cough / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006853:Hydrocodone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014136:Tracheitis / Q000150:complications
D006853:Hydrocodone; D003061:Codeine