New information ...

ET has learned exclusively that ANNA NICOLE SMITH's late son, DANIEL, was hospitalized to treat symptoms of depression and back pain just two months before he flew to the Bahamas to visit his mother and newborn sister, DANNIELYNN, according to medical records introduced at the inquest.

According to investigative journalist ART HARRIS, on his Web site, Bahamian prosecutors introduced medical records showing the 20-year-old entered the intensive care unit of a California hospital in July of 2006, when he was treated for an "impaired mental status" that cited "the misuse of Valium" as a factor.

WAYNE MUNROE, attorney for HOWARD K. STERN, said a physician had prescribed Daniel unspecified medication for back pain and his depression, as well as counseling.

After Daniel was found dead at Nassau's Doctors Hospital on September 10, 2006, two autopsies showed a toxic mix of methadone and the anti-depressants Lexapro and Zoloft, but the Bahamas police forensics chief testified Tuesday that the high level of methadone was enough to have killed Daniel and that he could have had it in his system when he landed the night before.

The magistrate announced the inquest would not resume until January 28 because of scheduling conflicts between lawyers and witnesses.

For more on the story, go to http://www.artharris.com/ .