Arch Dis Child 1999;80:7-14 ( January )

Unnatural sudden infant death

Roy Meadow

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF, UK

Correspondence to: Professor Meadow.

Accepted 3 September 1998

AIMTo identify features to help paediatricians differentiate between natural and unnatural infant deaths.
METHODClinical features of 81 children judged by criminal and family courts to have been killed by their parents were studied. Health and social service records, court documents, and records from meetings with parents, relatives, and social workers were studied.
RESULTSInitially, 42 children had been certified as dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and 29 were given another cause of natural death. In 24 families, more than one child died; 58 died before the age of 6 months and most died in the afternoon or evening. Seventy per cent had experienced unexplained illnesses; over half were admitted to hospital within the previous month, and 15 had been discharged within 24 hours of death. The mother, father, or both were responsible for death in 43, five, and two families, respectively. Most homes were disadvantagedno regular income, receiving income supportand mothers smoked. Half the perpetrators had a history of somatising or factitious disorder. Death was usually by smothering and 43% of children had bruises, petechiae, or blood on the face.
CONCLUSIONSAlthough certain features are indicative of unnatural infant death, some are also associated with SIDS. Despite the recent reduction in numbers of infants dying suddenly, inadequacies in the assessment of their deaths exist. Until a thorough postmortem examination is combined with evaluation of the history and circumstances of death by an experienced paediatrician, most cases of covert fatal abuse will go undetected. The term SIDS requires revision or abandonment.

Key messages Covert unnatural deaths are most common in children younger than 8 months The child's mother is the usual perpetrator Many of the infants killed have had previous unusual illness episodes or recent admission to hospital Infants who die in the afternoon or evening, after recent admission to hospital, or who come from a family in which a previous child has died unexpectedly should raise suspicion Over a third of the infants believed to have been smothered had either petechiae or frank blood about the face, although many do not disclose other significant abnormality at postmortem examination

Keywords: child abuse; unnatural death; smothering; sudden infant death syndrome

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© 1999 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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