title: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)--standardised investigations and classification: recommendations.
abstract: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) still accounts for considerable numbers of unexpected infant deaths in many countries. While numerous theories have been advanced to explain these events, it is increasingly clear that this group of infant deaths results from the complex interaction of a variety of heritable and idiosyncratic endogenous factors interacting with exogenous factors. This has been elegantly summarised in the "three hit" or "triple risk" model. Contradictions and lack of consistencies in the literature have arisen from diverse autopsy approaches, variable applications of diagnostic criteria and inconsistent use of definitions. An approach to sudden infant death is outlined with discussion of appropriate tissue sampling, ancillary investigations and the use of controls in research projects. Standardisation of infant death investigations with the application of uniform definitions and protocols will ensure optimal investigation of individual cases and enable international comparisons of trends.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. thomas.bajanowski@medizin.uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bajanowski
authors.forename: Ashild
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vege
authors.forename: Roger W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Byard
authors.forename: Henry F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Krous
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arnestad
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bachs
authors.forename: Jytte
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banner
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Borthne
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dettmeyer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gaustad
authors.forename: Markil
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregersen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grøgaard
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holter
authors.forename: Christina V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Isaksen
authors.forename: Jens V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Jorgensen
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Lange
authors.forename: Burkhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Madea
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Jorg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morland
authors.forename: Siri H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Opdal
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Råsten-Almqvist
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schlaud
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sidebotham
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skullerud
authors.forename: Gisela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoltenburg-Didinger
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stray-Pedersen
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sveum
authors.forename: Torleiv O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Rognum
mesh_terms: D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000473:pathology; D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007223:Infant; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D012107:Research Design; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014773:Virology