A child died after ingesting hashish, with hair analysis revealing chronic exposure to multiple drugs
A child died in the emergency room after ingesting hashish, with autopsy showing multiorgan congestion and hair analysis revealing chronic exposure to THC, cocaine, methadone, heroin, and fentanyl.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
The child showed altered walking, balance, and consciousness after ingesting hashish, followed by respiratory failure. Hair analysis revealed chronic exposure to THC, CBD, CBN, methadone, cocaine, morphine, heroin metabolites, ketamine, and fentanyl.
Key Numbers
Cannabinoids in blood, urine, bile, brain, lung, and liver. Hair positive for THC, CBD, CBN, methadone, cocaine, morphine, 6-MAM, ketamine, and fentanyl.
How They Did This
Forensic case report with autopsy, comprehensive toxicological analysis (immunochemistry, GC-MS, UPLC-MS/MS) of blood, bile, urine, organs, gastric content, and head hair.
Why This Research Matters
While adult cannabis deaths are extremely rare, this case demonstrates cannabis ingestion can be fatal in children, particularly those chronically exposed to multiple substances. It underscores the need for safe storage.
The Bigger Picture
As cannabis legalization expands, accidental pediatric ingestions are increasing. This case, complicated by chronic multi-drug exposure, highlights child welfare concerns.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single case with confounding chronic drug exposure. Fentanyl and ketamine administered during treatment. Relative contribution of cannabis versus pre-existing exposure unclear.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would this outcome have occurred without chronic drug exposure?
- ?What storage regulations could prevent such incidents?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Child's hair tested positive for THC, cocaine, heroin markers, methadone, and fentanyl
- Evidence Grade:
- Single case with thorough forensic analysis, but chronic multi-drug exposure makes it impossible to isolate cannabis as the sole cause.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion.
- Published In:
- Drug testing and analysis, 17(10), 2014-2021 (2025)
- Authors:
- Favretto, Donata(3), Cirnelli, Antonello, Pertile, Roberto, Stimamiglio, Raffaella, Cestonaro, Clara, Cuman, Oriana, Pagliaro, Anna, Mattiazzi, Fabio, Basso, Cristina, Galeazzi, Maddalena
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06439
Evidence Hierarchy
Describes what happened to one person or a small group.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis kill a child?
This case involved a child who died after ingesting hashish, but chronic exposure to multiple dangerous drugs was a significant complicating factor.
How can accidental ingestions be prevented?
Safe storage, child-resistant packaging, and keeping all cannabis products out of reach are essential.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06439APA
Favretto, Donata; Cirnelli, Antonello; Pertile, Roberto; Stimamiglio, Raffaella; Cestonaro, Clara; Cuman, Oriana; Pagliaro, Anna; Mattiazzi, Fabio; Basso, Cristina; Galeazzi, Maddalena. (2025). Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion.. Drug testing and analysis, 17(10), 2014-2021. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3904
MLA
Favretto, Donata, et al. "Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion.." Drug testing and analysis, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3904
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Infant Death due to Cannabis Ingestion." RTHC-06439. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/favretto-2025-infant-death-due-to
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.