[Sudden infant death syndrome].
The Disability-SIDS Research Committee, Ministry of Health and Welfare defines sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) as "a syndrome that causes sudden death of an infant in which the demise of the victim cannot be anticipated by his prior health status or medical history and the cause of death cannot be determined from the circumstances surrounding the final moment or from the results of an autopsy". A diagnostic autopsy is obligatory. SIDS brings a profound psychological shock to the victim's family. If the incidence takes place at a nursery or a certain medical facility (such as that involved in delivery), it may develop into a civil or criminal case related to professional responsibility for placing the infant in a prone position or a possible fault in nursing care. The current study describes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and physiopathology of SIDS, as well as prospects for its prevention and related social problems.
Tokyo University of Social Welfare, Tokyo Women's Medical University.
Akilo
A
Sawaguchi
Toshiko
T
Sawaguchi
D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013398:Sudden Infant Death