Work

Assigning cause for sudden unexpected infant death

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: We have reached a conundrum in assigning cause of death for sudden unexpected infant deaths. We summarize the discordant perspectives and approaches and how they have occurred, and recommend a pathway toward improved consistency. This lack of consistency affects pediatricians and other health care professionals, scientific investigators, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement agencies, families, and support or advocacy groups. We recommend that an interdisciplinary international committee be organized to review current approaches for assigning cause of death, and to identify a consensus strategy for improving consistency. This effort will need to encompass intrinsic risk factors or infant vulnerability in addition to known environmental risk factors including unsafe sleep settings, and must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a progressively expanding knowledge base.

Source: Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology

DOI: 10.1007/s12024-014-9650-8

Authors: Carl E. Hunt, Robert A. Darnall, Betty L. McEntire, Bruce A. Hyma

Institutions: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Dartmouth College, American SIDS Institute, Dade County Medical Examiner Department

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience of respiration and sleep

Subfield: Endocrine and Autonomic Systems

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,790