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Citation
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Burns KM, Cottengim C, Dykstra H, Faulkner M, Lambert ABE, MacLeod H, Novak A, Parks SE, Russell MW, Shapiro-Mendoza CK, Shaw E, Tian N, Whittemore V, Kaltman JR, Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry. J. Pediatr. X 2020; 2: e100023. |
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: To describe epidemiologic 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 (<365 days) and children (1-17 years) from a population-based registry of 8 states/jurisdictions in 2015 and 9 in 2016. Natural deaths and injury deaths from drowning, motor vehicle accident drivers, and infant suffocation were included; other injury deaths, homicide, suicide, intentional overdose, and terminal illness were excluded. Cases were categorized using a standardized algorithm. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize deaths, and mortality rates were calculated.
Results: Of 1319 cases identified, 92% had an autopsy. We removed incomplete cases, leaving 1132 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 greater 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.
Language: en |