Epidemiology of Sudden Death in a Population-Based Study of Infants and Children

Objective To describe epidemiological data from the Sudden Death in the Young (SDY) Case Registry. Understanding the scope of SDY may optimize prevention efforts. Study design We analyzed sudden, unexpected deaths of infants ( Results Of 1,319 cases identified, 92% had an autopsy. We removed Incomplete cases, leaving 1,132 analyzable deaths (889 infants, 243 children). The SDY rate for infants was 120/100,000 live births and for children was 1.9/100,000 children. Explained Cardiac rates were higher for infants (2.7/100,000 live births) than children (0.3/100,000 children). The pediatric Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) mortality rate was 0.2/100,000 live births and children. Blacks comprised 42% of infant and 43% of child deaths but only 23% of the population. In all ages, myocarditis/endocarditis was the most common Explained Cardiac cause; respiratory illness was the most common Explained Other cause. SDY occurred during activity in 13% of childhood cases. Conclusions Prevention strategies include optimizing identification and treatment of respiratory and cardiac diseases.