Distinguishing sudden infant death syndrome from child abuse fatalities. Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, 1993-1994.

Abstract

Public and professional awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has increased in the 28 years since the establishment of the National Sudden Infant Death Foundation, now called the National SIDS Alliance.' Similarly, awareness of child abuse has increased in the 30 years since the publication of the first article on the battered child. In the majority of cases, when an infant younger than one year dies suddenly and unexpectedly, the cause is SIDS. Sudden infant death syndrome is for more common than infanticide. In a few difficult cases, legitimate investigations for possible child abuse have resulted in an insensitive approach to grieving parents or caretakers. This statement provides professionals with information and guidelines to avoid distressing or stigmatizing families of SIDS victims while allowing accumulation of appropriate evidence in the uncommon case of death by infanticide.