Investigation of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Description

Sudden unexpected infant death, including sudden infant death syndrome, is the leading cause of death in infants one month to one year of age, in the developed world. A thorough investigation is crucial for accurate diagnosis. As part of the Diagnostic Pediatric Pathology Series, this book provides a detailed guide to various diagnoses and strong frameworks across continents, for strong support in conducting a multi-professional approach to the physiopathological mechanisms behind SIDS. Offering sensitive consideration for parents in mourning, this book rigorously explores current standards of police investigation and post-mortem, incorporating all aspects of the investigation, including the home visit, medical history and autopsy findings. Written by multidisciplinary experts, this vital guide uses clear reference tables and diagrams to present cutting-edge knowledge for use by paediatric and general pathologists, paediatricians, medico-legal practitioners, and all involved in the investigation of sudden infant death.

Marta C. Cohen is a Consultant Paediatric and Perinatal Pathologist at Sheffield Children's Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield. She is an MD, Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and holds a Diploma in Medical Jurisprudence (Pathology) and in Medical Education. Part of the pioneering team in the UK, providing the clinical provision of Minimally Invasive autopsy using Post mortem MRI in foetuses and neonates, which received the BRI/BAYER Award in 2015. She is member of the steering committee of the Care of the Next Infant (CONI, Lullaby trust) and of the Sheffield Child Death Overview Panel. She has written numerous publications on SIDS and is regularly invited to lecture in national and international conferences on this topic. Irene B. Scheimberg is a Consultant Paediatric and Perinatal Pathologist, with over twenty-five years' worth of experience. She was a member of several international paediatric pathology society committees (IPPA, PPS, SLAPPE) and 1st President of the European Society of Pathology Working Group on Paediatric and Perinatal Pathology. In conjunction with Dr Marta C. Cohen, she has edited a manual on paediatric and perinatal autopsy pathology and on paediatric surgical pathology, and is the co-editor for the Pediatric Surgical Pathology series. As such, she has written extensively on infant death and stillbirths. J. Bruce Beckwith, the first recipient of the Astute Clinician Award, was professor and head of the Division of Pediatric Pathology of the Department of Pathology and Human Anatomy at Loma Linda University in California, and Director of the National Wilms Tumor Study Pathology Center. He wrote extensively about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. He was one of the hosts of the Second International Conference on Causes of Sudden Death in Infants where the first definition of SIDS was agreed and he was also part of the team that wrote the 2004 definition of SIDS. Fern R. Hauck is the Spencer P. Bass, MD Twenty-First Century Professor of Family Medicine and Professor of Public Health Sciences at the University of Virginia. Dr Hauck's research focuses on risk and protective factors for SIDS and other causes of sudden infant death, including pacifier use, infant sleep location, bedsharing, infant feeding, and pacifier use. Her most recent research is a NIH-funded study to develop innovative methods in disseminating safe sleep messages. She is also conducting research on the genetic contributions to SIDS risk. Dr Hauck serves as an advisor to several federal agencies and SIDS organisations and she is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS. Dr Hauck has authored numerous parenting guides, peer-reviewed articles and commentaries on the topic.