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By Muhammad Al-Bayati, PhD
ABSTRACT: Louie Rodriguez suffered respiratory arrest at 5 months of age. He was hospitalized for 6 days and died. It was alleged that violent shaking of the head caused Louie’s injuries and death based on the finding of intracranial bleeding, brain edema, and bilateral retinal hemorrhage. Louie’s father was accused of killing Louie and arrested. This investigation reveals that Louie’s respiratory arrest resulted from acute infections with Bordetella pertussis. His infections also caused weight loss, vitamin K deficiency, pneumonia, bleeding, metabolic acidosis, brain edema, and coma. A blood analysis performed at 17 minutes following Louie’s admission to the hospital revealed that he had a white blood cell count of 79.5 x 103/!L and a lymphocyte count of 44.0 x 103/!L. His WBC and lymphocyte counts reduced by 90-95% following the treatment with antibiotic. Chest CT scan and X-ray exams showed that Louie had pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and lung disease. The standard diagnosed procedures that are used to diagnose B. pertussis infections in children were not utilized in this case. Louie’s intracranial and retinal bleeding was caused by B. pertussis infection, septicemia, vitamin K deficiency, liver damage, pneumonia, and epinephrine. Increased intracranial pressure contributed to Louie’s retinal bleeding. Louie developed brain edema and edema in other locations as a result of anoxia and treatment with sodium bicarbonate. The allegations given that vigorous shaking of the head caused Louie’s injuries and death are not supported by medical facts. Louie’s illness and death were caused by acute infections with B. pertussis and septicemia. |
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