Abstract
The new definition of the term sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the criteria introduced in San Diego for the subclassification of cases have been used to re-classify the first 100 consecutive cases of sudden and unexpected infant deaths that were registered with the German SIDS study (GeSID). Although there are 30 different variables that have to be considered in the general and stratified sections of the San Diego definition, it is practical, in particular, as an international standard to perform scientific studies. The comparison of the San Diego definition and the classification used for GeSID shows similarities in the methods but differences in the criteria used. Nevertheless, the numbers of cases classified as SIDS and borderline SIDS are similar (San Diego n=69, GeSID n=74). The SIDS IA criteria of the San Diego definition were not fulfilled by any case because metabolic screening and vitreous chemistry were not included in the GeSID investigation scheme. An important advantage of the San Diego definition is the introduction of the category of unclassified sudden infant death, which includes cases for which no autopsy was performed. This demonstrates that such cases cannot be classified as SIDS. In conclusion, we recommend the universal acceptance and use of the San Diego SIDS definition.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beckwith J (1970) Discussion of terminology and definition of the sudden infant death syndrome. University of Washington Press, Seattle
Krous HF, Beckwith JB, Byard RW, Rognum TO, Bajanowski T, Corey T, Cutz E, Hanzlick R, Keens TG, Mitchell EA (2004) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and unclassified sudden infant deaths (USID): a definitional and diagnostic approach. Pediatrics 114:234–238
Willinger M, James LS, Catz C (1991) Defining the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): deliberations of an expert panel convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Pediatr Pathol 11(5):677–684
Rambaud C, Guilleminault C, Campbell PE (1994) Definition of the sudden infant death syndrome. BMJ 308(6941):1439
Beckwith JB (2003) Defining the sudden infant death syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 157(3):286–290
l'Hoir MP, Engelberts AC, van Well GThJ, Bajanowski T, Helweg-Larsen K, Huber J (1998) Sudden unexpected death in infancy; epidemiologically determined risk factors related to a pathology classification. Acta Paediatr 87:1279–1287
Findeisen M, Vennemann M, Brinkmann B, Ortmann C, Röse I, Köpcke W, Jorch G, Bajanowski T (2003) German study on sudden infant death (GeSID): design, epidemiological and pathological profile. Int J Legal Med 118:163–169
Brinkmann B (1999) Harmonisation of medico-legal autopsy rules. Int J Legal Med 113:1–14
Krous H (1996) Instruction and reference manual for the International Standardized Autopsy Protocol for sudden unexpected infant death. J Sudd Infant Death Syndr Infant Mortal 1:203–246
Krous HF, Nadeau JM, Byard RW, Fukomoto RI, Blackbourne BD (2001) Environmental hyperthermic infant and early childhood death. Am J Forensic Med Pathol 22:374–382
Bajanowski T, Vennemann M, Bohnert M, Rauch E, Brinkmann B, Mitchell EA; GeSID Group (2005) Unnatural causes of sudden unexpected deaths thought initially to be SIDS. Int J Legal Med 119(4):213–216
Rognum TO, Arnestad M, Bajanowski T, Banner J, Blair P, Borthne A et al (2003) Consensus on diagnostic criteria for the exclusion of SIDS. V. Autopsy protocols for diagnostic purposes. Scan J Forensic Sci 9:62–73
Byard RW, Cohle SD (1994) Sudden death in infancy, childhood and adolescence. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp 501–514
Arnestad M, Opdal SH, Byard RW, Vege Å, JØrgensen JV, Banner J, Bajanowski T (2003) VI Metabolic and genetic investigation. Scan J Forensic Sci 9:70–71
Acknowledgement
The German Federal Ministry for Science and Education supported the German study on the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (GeSID) from 1998–2003.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bajanowski, T., Brinkmann, B. & Vennemann, M. The San Diego definition of SIDS: practical application and comparison with the GeSID classification. Int J Legal Med 120, 331–336 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-005-0043-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-005-0043-0