Sudden unexplained death in infancy

Question 1

Non-SIDS causes (but I have to admit, they don’t make much sense to me… cos surely they’re explained…?)

Answer 1

Infection
Cardiovascular anomaly
Child abuse
Metabolic/genetic disorders
Sleep accidents

Question 2

SIDS

Answer 2

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden death of an infant under 1 year, which remains unexplained after complete post-mortem examination and examination of the scene of death
About 300 infants/year in UK (this is down by 70%)

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Sleeping prone
Smoking in household (or in pregnancy)
Overheating at home
Co-sleeping, especially on sofa or chair, or under influence of drugs or alcohol
Pre-term birth

Question 4

Management

Answer 4

Paediatric units should have a protocol on dealing with SIDS
Police often involved
Information should be collected jointly so parents do not have to repeat it several times
Family support and counselling - numerous agencies