ABSTRACT
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden death of an infant or young child which is unexpected by history, and in which a thorough postmortem examination fails to demonstrate an adequate cause of death. SIDS is the most common cause of death in infants between 1 week and 1 year of age. SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Investigation of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) or ‘cot death’ may, in a small minority of cases, identify a less common cause of death, such as infection, trauma or a metabolic disorder (e.g. MCAD).
