The Institution of a Standardized Investigation Protocol for Sudden Infant Death in the Eastern Metropole, Cape Town, South Africa,.
The rate for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Cape Town, South Africa, is estimated to be among the highest in the world (3.41/1000 live births). In several of these areas, including those of extreme poverty, only sporadic, nonstandardized infant autopsy, and death scene investigation (DSI) occurred. In this report, we detail a feasibility project comprising 18 autopsied infants with sudden and unexpected death whose causes of death were adjudicated according to the 1991 NICHD definitions (SIDS, n = 7; known cause of death, n = 7; and unclassified, n = 4). We instituted a standardized autopsy and infant DSI through a collaborative effort of local forensic pathology officers and clinical providers. The high standard of forensic investigation met international standards, identified preventable disease, and allowed for incorporation of research. We conclude that an effective infant autopsy and DSI protocol can be established in areas with both high sudden unexpected infant death, and elsewhere. (SUID)/SIDS risk and infrastructure challenges.
Division of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology and Western Cape Forensic Pathology Health Services, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Johan J
JJ
Dempers
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Jean
J
Coldrey
Division of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology and Western Cape Forensic Pathology Health Services, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Elsie H
EH
Burger
Western Cape Forensic Pathology Service, Cape Town, South Africa.
Vonita
V
Thompson
Division of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Department of Pathology and Western Cape Forensic Pathology Health Services, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Shabbir A
SA
Wadee
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Hein J
HJ
Odendaal
Department of Pathology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND.
Mary Ann
MA
Sens
Department of Pathology, Sanford University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD.
Brad B
BB
Randall
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.|Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Rebecca D
RD
Folkerth
Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Hannah C
HC
Kinney
PASS Network.
D001344:Autopsy; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012931:Social Environment; D013019:South Africa; D013398:Sudden Infant Death
bed sharing; forensic pathology; forensic science; infant death scene investigation; infant mortality; prematurity; sudden infant death syndrome
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