SUDI is a broad term used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby for which the cause is not immediately obvious. The only means to find out the reason why a baby has died suddenly and unexpectedly is to perform an autopsy, review the clinical history and to investigate the circumstances of death, including the death scene, thoroughly. Following this thorough investigation, some deaths are explained, such as accidental deaths, asphyxiation by bedclothes, pillows and overlaying whilst co sleeping, infection, metabolic disorders, genetic disorders or non-accidental injury such as homicide, while others are unexplained.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexplained subset of SUDI. When no cause can be found for the death, it is called SIDS.
Last modified: 4/10/16