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

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.