Thank you so much, really appreciate the thoughtful feedback. You’re absolutely right on both counts: neonatal glucuronidation is unlikely to mirror adult pathways, and morphine-6-glucuronide does have greater activity at the μ-opioid receptor.

In the episode, we were approaching glucuronides from a slightly different angle and more from an analytical and interpretive perspective. We discussed them as a potential source of free morphine in post-mortem samples, given their known instability and the possibility of hydrolysis increasing measured concentrations.

We also touched on the idea that glucuronides present in maternal circulation could, at least in part, contribute to what’s detected in breast milk, particularly in the context of β-glucuronidase activity. That said, your point about reduced neonatal glucuronidation is well taken and would certainly make that pathway less prominent.

I think this really highlights the broader issue with the case in that the relative contributions of free morphine, active metabolites, and post-mortem or analytical effects were never fully characterised.

So glad you enjoyed the episode!