SUDI (sudden unexpected death in infancy)

Question 1

What is SUDI and what does it stand for?

Answer 1

Sudden unexpected death in infancy. These are all infant deaths that happen suddenly, and for which there is no apparent reason are unexpected.

Question 2

All unknown cases are defined as SUDI until more information is available. True/false?

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is SID’s?

Answer 3

Sudden infant death syndrome

Question 4

Can SID’s be regarded as a sub-type of all SUDI’s investigated?

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

Infant deaths increases after 12 months. True/false?

Answer 5

False, infant deaths decrease after 12 months. They are highest from 2-6 months.

Question 6

What is the typical incidence rate of SUDI?

Answer 6

1:1000 - 1:4000 live births. Varies between countries, ethnicity and social deprivation.

Question 7

Intrinsic risk factor examples for SID’s?

Answer 7

Acute illness e.g. URTI/otitis media with symptoms present at time of death but not significant asa acause of death.
Pre-term (before 37 weeks gestation).
Congenital anomaly causing death.
Male infant
Small for gestational age

Question 8

Extrinsic risk factor examples for SID’s?

Answer 8

Domestic violence
Poor housing and overcrowding
Alcohol use by mother > 2 units in the last 24 hours.
Sleeping on pillow or other soft surface e.g. adult duvet.
Substance misuse by parent.
Symptomatic depression in mother or primary carer at time of death.

Question 9

Investigation of SUDI

Answer 9

Whoever investigates SUDI varies based on the country e.g. UK SUDI investigation is undertaken by healthcare specialists and police jointly - this is a joint agency approach model.

Question 10

Post - mortem is always encouraged even though not always required. True/false?

Answer 10

True