Sudden Infant Death Syndrome—Part III: Emergency Department Approach

Abstract

I This article is the third in a threepart series reviewing recent developments in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) research with an emphasis on academic and clinical issues of interest to the emergency physician (EP). Part I introduced SIDS and reviewed its epidemiology and pathophysiology.' Part I1 reviewed how these factors have given rise to several theoretical constructs addressing an etiology for SIDS.2 Part I11 offers a practical ED approach to SIDS and associated disorders and directs attention to future areas of research and proposed interventions. Specific issues discussed include the ED identification and management of the highest-risk infants, and immediate concerns of the physician pronouncing a SIDS infant in the ED. The approach used to develop these articles is described in part I of the series.