When a child dies Flashcards
What does SUDI stand for?
sudden unexpected death in infancy
<2y
What does SUDC/SUDIC stand for?
sudden unexpected death in childhood
2-17y
What does SIDS stand for?
sudden infant death syndrome
Define sudden infant death syndrome
death of an infant where a cause remains unexplained after full investigation
What is Kennedy guidance?
joint protocol on the statutory process of investigating an unexpected death of a child
What is Kennedy samples?
recommended investigations to be completed following a child’s death to establish a cause
What is an expected death of a child? Give some examples
child known to have a life-limiting condition and is recognised as being in the terminal stages and actively dying
usually under palliative care
respect form often in place
eg. aggressive glioma not amenable to further chemotherapy, progressive spinal muscular atrophy
What is an unexpected death of a child?
Give some examples
child not recognised as actively dying immediately prior to death or collapse
death may be sudden and entirely unexplained or there may be an obvious cause
child may have other medical problems but not expected to die in childhood
child may be known to have life-limiting condition, but death not expected at this point
eg. meningococcal sepsis, road traffic accident, SIDS
What happens when a child dies suddenly?
paediatrician contacted
child brought to A&E if not already in hospital
Kennedy guidelines enacted
Post-mortem extremely likely
support to family (eg. child death response nurses)
hospital discussion in morbidity + mortality meeting
regional review of death in child death overview panel (CDOP) to identify public health messages/themes around death
What happens when a child dies an expected death?
cause of death clear so Kennedy process not needed
post-mortem generally not indicated
support family
case discussed in morbidity + mortality
case discussed in CDOP meeting
SIDS risk factors
prematurity
(breastfeeding protective)
co-sleeping
putting baby to sleep prone
parental smoking
hyperthermia
head covering (eg. blanket moves)
What organisation provides safe sleep advice?
lullaby trust
What is SUDEP?
sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
counts as an unexpected death so must be investigated
Safe sleep advice for a baby
lie baby on back
clear space
firm, flat, waterproof mattress
smoke-free around baby
avoid overheating
share room with baby for first 6 months (but not bedshare)
