Milk aspiration as a Result of Hypotonic-hyporesponsive Episodes after DTaP and Polio Co-immunization.

Korean J Leg Med. 2005 Oct;29(2):196-203. Korean.

Department of orensic Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University. hwkang@cheju.ac.kr

Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University.

We analyzed autopsy findings of 5 neonates and infants who suddenly died after DTaP and Polio Coimmunization. Microscopically, there were multifocal small amounts of pinkish amorphous materials within the alveolar spaces with marked proliferation of alveolar macrophages. Immunohistochemical stain using anti-human alpha-lactalbumin shows intense staining to these foreign materials. We concluded that milk aspiration and asphyxia may play an important role in course of death after DTaP and Polio Co-immunization and assumed that hypotonic-hyporesponsive episodes as an adverse events of immunization could be a preceding cause of milk aspiration. Education of parents about the risk of milk aspiration after immunization should be included in guideline.

Key Words : milk aspiration, DTaP, Polio, hypotonic-hyporesponsive