RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sudden unexpected death and covert homicide in infancy
JF Archives of Disease in Childhood
JO Arch Dis Child
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
SP 443
OP 447
DO 10.1136/adc.2003.036202
VO 89
IS 5
A1 S Levene
A1 C J Bacon
YR 2004
UL http://adc.bmj.com/content/89/5/443.abstract
AB It is impossible to be certain, but it is estimated that each year in England and Wales there may be about 30–40 infant deaths from covert homicide, which represents about 10% of the current annual total of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy. This paper reviews the features that have been suggested as possible indicators of covert homicide, describes the difficulties in its identification and the need for better evidence, and emphasises the importance of thorough medical investigation of all sudden infant deaths.