Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Child Homicide Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, risk factors, pathogenesis, and legal aspects of SIDS and related infant fatalities.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden death of an infant under $1$ year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including a complete autopsy, death scene examination, and clinical history review.

Triple risk model

A model explaining SIDS pathogenesis through the intersection of three factors: a vulnerable infant, a critical developmental period in homeostatic control, and exogenous stressors.

Back to sleep campaign

An education programme aimed at reducing SIDS by encouraging the supine sleeping position and discouraging maternal smoking and over wrapping.

Diagnosis of exclusion

A medical term applied to SIDS because it is only diagnosed after all other potential causes of death have been ruled out through investigation.

Petechiae

Small spots found during autopsy on the thymus, visceral and parietal pleura, and epicardium, which are non-specific findings in SIDS cases.

Pulmonary oedema

A postmortem finding in SIDS identified by congested lungs and vascular engorgement during histology.

Long QT syndrome

A genetic defect associated with Sudden Unexpected Infant Death involving mutations in the $SCN5A$ and $KCNQ1$ genes.

Fatty acid oxidation disorders

Metabolic defects that can cause sudden death, involving mutations such as $MCAD$, $LCHAD$, and $SCHAD$.

Histiocytoid cardiomyopathy

A specific heart-related genetic condition associated with $MTCYB$ mutations that may be revealed during an autopsy of a sudden infant death.

Non accidental injury (NAI)

Physical abuse characterized by injuries of varying ages, such as multiple fractures, retinal haemorrhage, or a torn frenulum, often presenting as a sudden collapse during the day.

Infanticide

A felony offense where a woman causes the death of her child under $12$ months old while the balance of her mind is disturbed by childbirth or the effect of lactation.

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI)

A broad category of infant deaths where approximately $15\%$ are eventually explained by factors like infection or congenital anomalies, and $85\%$ remain unexplained.

Vulnerable infant

A component of the triple risk model referring to an infant with brain stem abnormalities, defective arousal, or cardiorespiratory control.