Forced suffocation of infants with baby wipes: a previously undescribed form of child abuse.
BACKGROUND
Foreign body aspiration in children is commonly seen in emergency departments and carries a significant mortality. Abusive foreign body suffocation is not well described.


METHODS
We present a case-series of four infants who presented with aspiration of a baby wipe.


RESULTS
Each child was found to be a victim of child physical abuse with substantial morbidity and mortality associated with the aspiration of the wipe and associated injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend that infants who present with a baby wipe aspiration should be considered as likely victims of child abuse and physicians should evaluate each infant for associated injuries of the oropharynx, skin, skeleton, and head.
Krugman
Scott D
SD
Department of Pediatrics, Franklin Square Hospital Center, 9000 Franklin Square Dr., Baltimore, MD 21237, USA.
Lantz
Patrick E
PE
Sinal
Sara
S
De Jong
Allan R
AR
Coffman
Kathryn
K
D001237:Asphyxia; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003068:Coercion; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007237:Infanticide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009960:Oropharynx / Q000293:injuries; D015995:Prevalence; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology