A clinical comparison of SIDS and explained sudden infant deaths: how healthy and how normal? CESDI SUDI Research Group. Confidential Inquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical characteristics associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and explained sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI).


METHODS
Three year population based, case control study with parental interviews for each death and four age matched controls.


METHODS
Five regions in England (population, > 17 million; live births, > 470,000).


METHODS
SIDS: 325 infants; explained SUDI: 72 infants; controls: 1,588 infants.


RESULTS
In the univariate analysis, all the clinical features and health markers at birth, after discharge from hospital, during life, and shortly before death, significant among the infants with SIDS were in the same direction among the infants who died of explained SUDI. In the multivariate analysis, at least one apparent life threatening event had been experienced by more of the infants who died than in controls (SIDS: 12% v 3% controls; odds ratio (OR) = 2.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02 to 6.41; explained SUDI: 15% v 4% controls; OR = 16.81; 95% CI, 2.52 to 112.30). Using a retrospective illness scoring system based on "Baby Check", both index groups showed significant markers of illness in the last 24 hours (SIDS: 22% v 8% controls; OR = 4.17; 95% CI, 1.88 to 9.24; explained SUDI: 49% v 8% controls; OR = 31.20; 95% CI, 6.93 to 140.5).


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical characteristics of SIDS and explained SUDI are similar. Baby Check might help identify seriously ill babies at risk of sudden death, particularly in high risk infants.
Platt
M W
MW
Newcastle Neonatal Service, Ward 35, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
Blair
P S
PS
Fleming
P J
PJ
Smith
I J
IJ
Cole
T J
TJ
Leach
C E
CE
Berry
P J
PJ
Golding
J
J
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002423:Cause of Death; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control