An extensive analysis of SID events is a prerequisite for reliable and comparable SIDS statistics. Our data show that in several SID cases careful post-mortem examinations led to an explanation of death. In other cases, minor alterations may have contributed to the lethal event. These findings should therefore be considered in the classification of SIDs. The ESPID classification of 1992 appears to be very useful for this purpose and its use may therefore be recommended.