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Role of toxicological determinations of amphetamines and cannabinoids in hair of adolescent patients in cardiologic diagnostic management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 May 2011

Małgorzata Kłys ,
Lesław Szydłowski  and
Sebastian Rojek
Małgorzata Kłys*
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine Cracow, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
Lesław Szydłowski
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
Sebastian Rojek
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine Cracow, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Poland
*
Correspondence to: Dr M. Kłys, Department of Forensic Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 16 Grzegorzecka Street, 31-531 Krakow, Poland. Tel: +48 12 421 08 59; Fax: +48 12 421 11 13; E-mail: mpklys@cyf-kr.edu.pl
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Abstract

Background

Parental suspicions that the child may possibly take narcotics may be substantiated by hair analysis, which may not only identify the narcotic abuse profile, but also define the minimum period of narcotic usage.

Objective

A toxicological hair analysis aiming at detecting the presence of amphetamines and cannabinoids in children with cardiac complaints of unclear aetiology, with a view of establishing a diagnosis.

Material and method

The authors analysed hair samples collected from the occipital region of three adolescent patients for the presence of substances of abuse – amphetamines and cannabinoids. Hair strands were subjected to segmentation and chemical processing and subsequently analysed by liquid chromatography–mass detection method.

Results

Indicating the presence of amphetamines and cannabinoids in hair samples, the toxicological analysis allowed for explaining cardiac complaints and personality changes in adolescent patients, with the said changes being associated with addiction to the above xenobiotics extending over some period.

Keywords

Narcoticshair samplecardiac diagnosis
Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 2012 , pp. 8 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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