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.