Deceased
Maddox Garry Wheeler
Demographics
0y, male
Coroner
Coroner Caitlin English
Date of death
2016-01-22
Finding date
2019-12-11
Cause of death
Unascertained
AI-generated summary
A 10-week-old boy born at 35 weeks gestation was found asleep on his mother's chest while she was asleep on a couch and died from an unascertained cause. Post-mortem toxicology detected methamphetamine and cannabis; the cause of death could not be determined but multiple factors may have contributed including unsafe co-sleeping position, prematurity, and substance exposure. The mother had a known history of cannabis use in her first pregnancy but did not disclose substance use during her second pregnancy despite being directly asked. Clinical lessons include: improved substance use screening and follow-up during pregnancy even with previous disclosure, consideration of neonatal abstinence syndrome monitoring when in-utero drug exposure is suspected, and reinforcement of safe sleeping practices particularly with fatigued parents. Health providers should maintain awareness that parents may not disclose substance use due to fear or stigma, requiring sensitive, non-judgemental screening approaches and continued vigilance even when self-reported history is negative.
AI-generated summary and tagging — may contain inaccuracies; refer to original finding for legal purposes. Report an inaccuracy.
Specialties
Error types
Drugs involved
Clinical conditions
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0y · Female·Perinatal asphyxia
Baby M was born at 38+4 weeks gestation in poor condition at The Royal Women's Hospital on 10 November 2022 and died at 24 minutes of age from perinatal asphyxia. Autopsy findings suggested cord compression occurring 4-6…
0y · Male·Head injury sustained in a difficult delivery including head impaction and caesa…
Baby Sidney died from severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy caused by head impaction during a difficult vaginal delivery attempt and subsequent caesarean section at 6 days old. The coroner found that medical care fell …
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