Sudden Unexpected Death In Infancy ✅ Flashcards
What is sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) said to have taken place?
When an apparently healthy baby dies suddenly, unexpectedly and without an obvious cause identified prior to investigation
How many cases of SUDI are there per year in the UK>
Around 300
At what age is the peak incidence of SUDI?
2-4 months
Is SUDI more common in boys or girls?
Boys
At what time of year is SUDI more common?
Winter months
Is an identified cause usually found in SUDI?
No, not found in majority of cases
When found, what are the most common cause of SUDI?
- Infection
- Cardiovascular abnormalities
- Metabolic or genetic disorders
- Non-accidental injury
What is done in all cases of SUDI?
Extensive investigation to determine underlying cause
Why is it important to look for a possible diagnosis in SUDI?
- Can be of great help and comfort to parents
- Can help in future pregnancies, especially if opportunity for antenatal diagnostic testing
What investigations must be carried out soon after death in SUDI?
- Blood and CSF samples
- Microbiological swabs
Why must blood, CSF samples, and microbiology swabs be taken as soon as possible after death in SUDI?
Delay reduces yield of positive results
What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
A cause of SUDI, which is defined as the sudden death of an infant which cannot be explained after thorough investigation, including a post-mortem and examination of scene of death
What are the categories of risk factors of SIDS?
- Extrinsic factors
- Intrinsic factors
What are extrinsic risk factors for SIDS?
- Prone sleeping position
- Exposure to tobacco smoke
- Co-sleeping
- Overheating
- Not breastfed
What are the intrinsic risk factors for SIDS?
- Prematurity
- Low birth weight
- Low maternal age
- Male gender
What physiological evidence supports the observation that putting in infant to sleep in the prone position increases the risk of SIDS?
Infants who sleep on their back have lower arousal thresholds and less slow-wave sleep compared with prone sleeping infants. This ‘deeper’ sleep may interfere with the infant’s physiological repsonse to overcome normally minor environmental triggers
What further increases the risk of SIDS in infants who co-sleep?
If the co-sleeper has used alcohol or drugs
What is the limitation of describing co-sleeping as a risk factor for SIDS?
A number of these deaths may actually be due to unintentional overlying rather than SIDS
What can cause overheating in infants? -
- Elevated room temperature
- Wrapping in too many clothes and/or blankets
What parental advice is given to reduce the risk of SIDS?
- ‘Back to sleep’ campaign
- Safe sleep environment
- Ambient room temperature of 16-20 degrees
- Dummies or pacifiers, if used consistently at nap or bed times
- Breastfeeding
What does the ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign promote?
Positioning babies on their backs when sleeping, with their feet to the foot of the cot or crib
Should babies share a room with their parents?
Yes, safest to sleep in the same room as parents for first 6 months of life
Why is it safest to sleep in same room as parents for the first 6 months of life?
Possibly due to heightened awareness of the baby
Does having one baby die from SIDS increase the risk in future babies?
Yes
