Pediatric body packing: drug smuggling reaches a new low

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2005 Nov;21(11):744-6. doi: 10.1097/01.pec.0000186428.07636.18.

Abstract

The case of a 6-year-old boy presenting with severe clinical manifestations of an opioid intoxication and who is discovered to be an international "body packer" is presented and discussed. This article is the first to report on the phenomenon of body packing in young children. It also highlights the use of prescription opioids as cargo, which has not previously been addressed in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Abuse*
  • Coma / chemically induced*
  • Crime*
  • Diseases in Twins
  • False Negative Reactions
  • Gastrointestinal Contents
  • Haiti
  • Humans
  • Hydrocodone / poisoning*
  • Male
  • New York City
  • Oxycodone / poisoning*
  • Substance Abuse Detection
  • Tablets
  • Travel
  • Urinalysis

Substances

  • Tablets
  • Hydrocodone
  • Oxycodone