Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome



Patrick L. Carolan, MD



Basic Information



Definition


Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant younger than 1 year of age, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.



Synonyms



Cot death

Crib death

SIDS


ICD-9-CM Code



798.0 Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)


Epidemiology & Demographics



• SIDS is the single most common cause of death for infants 1 month to 1 year of age.

• In 2002, a total of 2295 SIDS deaths were recorded in the United States, corresponding to an incidence of 0.57 deaths per 1000 live births (National Center for Health Statistics).

• The U.S. incidence has fallen 50% since the 1994 “Back to Sleep” campaign.

• Males outnumber females at a ratio of 3:2.

• A higher incidence is seen among African American and Native American infants; a lower incidence is seen among Hispanic and Asian infants.

• Deaths occur more often between September and April.


Clinical Presentation



History



• The infant is typically healthy, feeding well, and growing normally.

• Approximately 12% to 20% of SIDS victims are former preterm or low-birth-weight infants.

• The infant is discovered lifeless associated with a period of sleep.

• The age at death is characteristic: 60% are 2 to 4 months of age, 90% are younger than 6 months, and 95% are younger than 8 months of age.


Autopsy Findings



• The infant typically appears well nourished and well cared for.

• Rigor mortis and postmortem lividity are generally present.

• The absence of a lethal lesion is noted.

• The thymus and adrenal glands are typically normal.

• Minor, microscopic inflammatory change within the distal airways may be evident.


Etiology



• The cause or causes of SIDS remain unknown and are likely to be multifactorial.
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Jun 19, 2016 | Posted by in PEDIATRICS | Comments Off on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

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