title: Abusive suffocation presenting as new-onset seizure.
abstract: Child abuse can often be very difficult to identify. This is especially true in cases of abuse by suffocation. Suffocation often leaves no external physical marks and presents with vague, nonspecific symptoms. Infants who have been suffocated usually present unexplained apnea, cyanosis, or seizure. Moreover, new-onset seizures can be mistaken for an organic seizure disorder. This case report reviews a case of abuse by suffocation, which presented as new-onset status epilepticus. This case illustrates that suffocation can be difficult to diagnose despite the recognition of red flags that should prompt an investigation for abuse.
authors: Child Protection Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors: Resmiye
authors: R
authors: Oral
authors: Feyza
authors: F
authors: Koc
authors: Jacob
authors: J
authors: Smith
authors: Yutaka
authors: Y
authors: Sato
mesh_terms: D001237:Asphyxia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001344:Autopsy; D001929:Brain Edema / Q000209:etiology; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017579:Domestic Violence; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D049429:Forensic Pathology / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D019586:Intracranial Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012008:Recurrence; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed