Abstract

SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME: A REVIEW

Suvarna A. Gohane*, Dr. S. B. Kosalge, Smita M. Meshram

Abstract

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been the focus of extensive research over the past several decades. Sudden infant deaths in infancy (SID) represent the commonest group of post-neonatal childhood deaths. The identification of specific medical causes of death at autopsy in SID has slightly improved in recent years, but around twothirds of cases remain unexplained, being classified as SIDS, the diagnosis is based on a a thorough death scene investigation, autopsy, review of infant‘s and family‘s medical records and histories. The aim of this article is to review the current evidence for protocols of postmortem investigations of SID, with particular emphasis on features which include characteristics, reporting causes, prevention, diagnosis and how to reduce the risk factors. The article will not discuss issues related to non-accidental or inflicted injury, which remain complex and beyond the scope of this review.

Keywords: Sudden infant death, SIDS, Autopsy, Post-mortem investigation.