Dead infant in Kipseli: three stab wounds and suspected neonatal abstinence syndrome
The nine-month-old infant found dead inside a suitcase in Kipseli had three fatal stab wounds. Toxicological tests will clarify whether the child suffered from neonatal abstinence syndrome.
Three stab wounds to infant's body – question over abstinence syndrome
The nine-month-old infant discovered dead inside a suitcase in a flat in Kipseli had three fatal stab wounds, while additional injuries were found on its body that appear to have been inflicted after death. These are the findings of the forensic examination, as presented by Live News of MEGA and reported by Newsbeast.
The same examination revealed no pathological cause that could in itself explain the death. The infant's parents, who are charged with murder, have already given statements to the authorities.
Parents' statements
"The baby had health problems from the beginning. It would sleep for one hour and cry for the remaining 23," the father is reported to have stated. According to his statement, doctors had diagnosed a hernia and intestinal dysfunction, whilst the child faced difficulties even with feeding. "The baby did not have the strength to suckle milk and initially the doctors would not let us take it home," he said.
The possibility of neonatal abstinence syndrome
The information presented on Live News raises the question of whether the infant suffered from neonatal abstinence syndrome. Both parents have stated that they faced substance dependency problems.
Dimitra Metallinou, assistant professor of Obstetrics at the University of West Attica, explained that neonatal abstinence syndrome can manifest in infants exposed during pregnancy to addictive substances or medications. Among the symptoms are severe and acute crying, trembling, increased muscle tone, sleep disturbances, vomiting, diarrhoea and feeding difficulties — symptoms that bear similarities to those described by the father.
Pantelis Alexandrou, a forensic pathologist, speaking also on Live News, noted that withdrawal symptoms can be particularly severe in the first weeks after birth and, depending on the case, some of them may persist for a longer period.
Toxicological tests will provide answers
Whether the infant actually suffered from abstinence syndrome is expected to be clarified by toxicological tests, which will also show whether the child had been exposed to narcotic substances.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to clarify the exact circumstances of death and the role of each person involved in the case.
Source: Newsbeast