Author: Sandi Angus, Lisa Kehler / Editor: Lauren Fraser / Codes: / Published: 16/01/2023
An overview of Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood (SUDIC); the risk factors associated with SUDIC, our role in the Emergency Department (ED) and the investigative process thereafter.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand some of the terms used in SUDIC
- To gain an overview of the SUDIC Protocol and the different parties involved
- To learn our role in the management of SUDIC as Emergency Medicine clinicians
- To improve communication with the family by having a better understanding of the process
- To gain an understanding of the investigations required and the correct management of subsequent specimens
- To gain insight into some of the risk factors associated with SUDIC and how we might offer advice to mitigate these during our contact with families in the Emergency Department.
References
- HM Government. 2018. Child Death Review: Statutory and Operational Guidance (England).[Online]. London: HM Government. [Accessed 28 January 2022].
- Blair PS, Sidebotham P, et al. Major epidemiological changes in sudden infant death syndrome: a 20-year population-based study in the UK. Lancet. 2006 Jan 28; 367: pp314-9.
- The Royal College of Pathologists. 2016. Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood: Multiagency guidelines for care and investigation. [2nd edition]. [Online]. London: The Royal College of Pathologists. [Accessed 28 January 2022].
- The Lullaby Trust. 2019. Full Evidence Base. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9th February 2022].
- Filiano JJ, Kinney HC. A perspective on neuropathologic findings in victims of the sudden infant death syndrome: the triple-risk model. Biol Neonate. 1994;65(3- 4):194-7.
- The Lullaby Trust. Spot the Risks. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9th March 2022].
- The Lullaby Trust. Co-sleeping with your baby. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9th March 2022].
- The Lullaby Trust. The safest room temperature for babies. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9th March 2022].
- Gordon AE, El Ahmer OR, et al. Why is smoking a risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome? Child Care Health Dev. 2002 Sep;28 Suppl 1:23-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2214.2002.00007.x. PMID: 12515434.
- The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. 2020. Out of routine: A review of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) in families where the children are considered at risk of significant harm. [Online]. Gov.UK. [Accessed 9th March 2022].
- Kehler L & Schofield B (2013). Pre-hospital airway management in paediatric cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study. 1st European Paediatric Resuscitation and Emergency (PREM) Conference. 2013 May. Belgium.
- Jabre, P, Belpomme V, Azouley E, et al. Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. N Engl J Med. 2013 Mar 14;368(11):1008-18.
- American Association of Critical Care Nurses (2016). Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures. Critical Care Nurse. 36, 1, E11-E14. doi: 10.4037/ccn2016980.
- Al-Mutair AS, Plummer V, Copnell B. Family presence during resuscitation: a descriptive study of nurses’ attitudes from two Saudi hospitals. Nurs Crit Care. 2012 Mar-Apr;17(2):90-8.
- Breach J. Exploring the implementation of family-witnessed resuscitation. Nurs Stand. 2018 Apr 28;33(1):76-81.
- Critchell CD, Marik PE. Should family members be present during cardiopulmonary resuscitation? A review of the literature. Am J Hosp Palliat Care. 2007 Aug-Sep;24(4):311-7. doi: 10.1177/1049909107304554.
- Bossaert, L, Perkins G.D, et al. European Resuscitation Council guidelines for resuscitation Section 11: The ethics of resuscitation and end-of-life decisions. Resuscitation. 2015 Oct;95:302-11.
Additional Resources
- Safer Sleep for Babies. A guide for professionals. Public Health England. UNICEF UK. Basis. The Lullaby Trust.
- When a Baby Dies booklet. The Lullaby Trust.