Logo image
Variability in SUID determinations: Resource limitations, perceptions of bias, or emotional factors influencing sleep-related infant death reporting in Florida
Poster   Open access

Variability in SUID determinations: Resource limitations, perceptions of bias, or emotional factors influencing sleep-related infant death reporting in Florida

Genna Edwards
University of West Florida Libraries
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 2021)
2021

Metrics

3 File views/ downloads
224 Record Views

Abstract

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID) are two of the top five causes of infant mortality in the United States (Kim 2011). SUIDS as a cause of infant death is based on a determination of exclusion given when the investigation leads to unknown causes. Although SIDS is commonly linked to sleep related deaths, it can also be cited when no other cause of death (CoD) can be established. These two determinations can be used by medical examiners when they have been unable to find a diagnosis in autopsy, laboratory testing, or investigative information gathered. Even though death investigation guidelines exist (Shapiro-Mendoza 2017), each medical examiner has a different threshold/tolerance when making this determination, meaning they will go to varying lengths to establish a finding. With inconsistent reporting, research and tracking of SIDS and SUIDS death is difficult to carry out. We seek to better understand what factors may influence investigators and medical examiners while determining the cause of infant deaths, particularly accidental suffocation, SIDS, and SUID. We aim that our findings will influence future strategies for promoting standardized practices for SIDS classification
pdf
Variability in SUID determinations776.11 kBDownloadView
Presentationpdf Open Access

Related links

Details

Logo image