The SUDIC Protocol

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

1. HM Government. 2018. Child Death Review: Statutory and Operational Guidance (England).[Online]. London: HM Government. [Accessed 28 January 2022].
2. 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.
3. The Royal College of Pathologists. 2016. Sudden unexpected death in infancy and childhood: Multiagency guidelines for care and investigation. [2^nd edition]. [Online]. London: The Royal College of Pathologists. [Accessed 28 January 2022].
4. The Lullaby Trust. 2019. Full Evidence Base. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9^th February 2022].
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6. The Lullaby Trust. Spot the Risks. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9^th March 2022].
7. The Lullaby Trust. Co-sleeping with your baby. [Online]. London: The Lullaby Trust. [Accessed 9^th March 2022].
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10. 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 9^th March 2022].
11. Kehler L & Schofield B (2013). Pre-hospital airway management in paediatric cardiac arrest: A retrospective cohort study. 1^st European Paediatric Resuscitation and Emergency (PREM) Conference. 2013 May. Belgium.
12. Jabre, P, Belpomme V, Azouley E, et al. Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. N Engl J Med. 2013 Mar 14;368(11):1008-18.
13. 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.
14. 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.
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17. 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.