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. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.