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Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood:A Report of 50 Cases

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Pediatric and Developmental Pathology

Abstract

Sudden unexplained death in childhood (SUDC) is rare, with a reported incidence in the United States of 1.5 deaths per 100,000 live births compared with 56 deaths per 100,000 live births for sudden infant death syndrome in 2001. The objectives of this study include a proposal for a general definition for SUDC and presentation of 36 cases of SUDC and 14 cases of sudden unexpected death in childhood. Cases were accrued through referrals or unsolicited via our Web page (http://www.sudc.org). Our analyses tentatively suggest a SUDC profile characterized by cases being 1 to 3 years in age, predominantly male, and frequently having a personal and family history of seizures that are often associated with a fever. A history of recent minor head trauma is not uncommon. They are usually born at term as singletons and occasionally have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome or SUDC. Most are found prone, often with their face straight down into the sleep surface. Minor findings are commonly seen at postmortem examination but do not explain their deaths. Comprehensive review of the medical history and circumstances of death and performance of a complete postmortem examination including ancillary studies and extensive histologic sampling of the brain are critical in determining the cause of death in these cases of sudden unexpected childhood death. Legislation enabling research and formation of a multicenter research team is recommended to unravel the mystery of SUDC.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the CJ Foundation for SIDS for their grant support and the families of children who died of SUDC who committed themselves to this study and graciously made their children’s records available. Without them, this study could not have been conducted. We also thank Chelsea Hilbert, MSW, for the referral and support of SUDC families. H.F.K. acknowledges his indebtedness to Dr. J. Bruce Beckwith, his mentor, who inspired his career in pediatric pathology. He is privileged to contribute to this special issue honoring Dr. Beckwith for his innumerable contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital and Health Center, 3020 Children’s Way, MC5007, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA

    Henry F. Krous, Amy E. Chadwick & Julie M. Nadeau-Manning

  2. Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Henry F. Krous

  3. CJ Foundation for SIDS, 30 Prospect Avenue, Hackensack, NJ, 07601, USA

    Laura Crandall

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  1. Henry F. Krous
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  2. Amy E. Chadwick
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  4. Julie M. Nadeau-Manning
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Correspondence to Henry F. Krous.

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Krous, H.F., Chadwick, A.E., Crandall, L. et al. Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood:A Report of 50 Cases. Pediatr Dev Pathol 8, 307–319 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10024-005-1155-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10024-005-1155-8

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