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.