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Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology
Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology 2/2015

Open Access 01-06-2015 | Commentary

Assigning cause for sudden unexpected infant death

Authors: Carl E. Hunt, Robert A. Darnall, Betty L. McEntire, Bruce A. Hyma

Published in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Issue 2/2015

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Abstract

We have reached a conundrum in assigning cause of death for sudden unexpected infant deaths. We summarize the discordant perspectives and approaches and how they have occurred, and recommend a pathway toward improved consistency. This lack of consistency affects pediatricians and other health care professionals, scientific investigators, medical examiners and coroners, law enforcement agencies, families, and support or advocacy groups. We recommend that an interdisciplinary international committee be organized to review current approaches for assigning cause of death, and to identify a consensus strategy for improving consistency. This effort will need to encompass intrinsic risk factors or infant vulnerability in addition to known environmental risk factors including unsafe sleep settings, and must be sufficiently flexible to accommodate a progressively expanding knowledge base.
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Metadata
Title
Assigning cause for sudden unexpected infant death
Authors
Carl E. Hunt
Robert A. Darnall
Betty L. McEntire
Bruce A. Hyma
Publication date
01-06-2015
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Issue 2/2015
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Electronic ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9650-8

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