Etiology & Diagnosis
Deaths that occur among infants less than one year old with no immediately obvious cause.
What is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)?
The type of stressor, such as thermal stress or smoke exposure, is listed as a risk factor for SUIDS.
What are Exogenous Stressors?
The area of the brain possibly immature and unable to sustain a strong respiratory pattern in SIDS infants.
What is the Respiratory Center?
The three commonly reported types of SUID are SIDS, Accidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed, and this.
What is Unknown Cause?
A history of this tragic family event is listed as a major risk factor for SUID.
What is a Sibling death from SUIDS?
This is a post-mortem finding in up to 40% of SIDS infants, involving a delayed insulation process of nerve fibers.
What is Delayed Myelination?
The diagnosis for SIDS, meaning it is only given after all other potential causes of death have been ruled out by a full investigation and autopsy.
What is a Diagnosis of Exclusion?
Infants who are survivors of these events are considered to be at a higher risk of SUIDS.
What are Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTEs)?
Two common respiratory system findings noted during the autopsy of a SIDS infant, besides petechiae.
What are Bloody mucus in mouth/nares and/or Upper respiratory inflammation and/or Pulmonary Edema?
This autopsy finding consists of small, pinpoint hemorrhages, often noted in the skin or internal organs.
What is Petechiae?
Besides African American and Native American descent, this third descent group is listed as having an elevated risk of SUIDS.
What is Native Alaskan?
The percentage of SIDS infants that have shown either delayed myelination or scarring in the tissues surrounding the respiratory control center.
What is Up to 40%?