hei tiaki i ä tätou mokopuna
Protecting the Lives of Mäori babies
What is SUDI?
Sudden Unexpected Death of an Infant (SUDI) has been defined as “any death in the first year of life which is sudden and unexpected.”.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as “the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene and the review of clinical history". [1]
Most SUDI deaths happen in the first six months of life.
Australia and New Zealand are shifting to the term Sudden Unexplained Death in Infancy (SUDI) for professional, scientific and coronial clarity.[2]
Controversies associated with the classification of infant deaths in the presence of known risk factors such as cigarette smoke, prematurity, bed sharing or minor infections, where the contribution of the risk factor remains uncertain have led more recently to the adoption of the term sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI). This encompasses both SIDS and the more grey scenarios.[3]
[1] Willinger M, James L, Catz C. Defining the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): deliberations of an expert panel convened by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Pediatric Pathol.1991;11:677–84
[2] Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee, Te Ropu Arotake Auau Mate o te Hunga Tamariki, Taiohi. 2009. Fifth Report to the Minister of Health: Reporting mortality 2002-2008. Wellington: Child and Youth Mortality Review Committee.
[3] Fleming P, Tsgot b, Blair P. 2006. Modifiable risk factors, sleep environment, developmental physiology and common polymorphisms: understanding and preventing sudden infant deaths. Early Human Development 82: 761-6.
Support Services
This page is dedicated to providing information on grief support relevant to Māori whanau. It includes information on dealing with the SIDS/SUDI experience, support services, the coronial process and frequently asked questions. Information also covers apnea monitors and the wahakura as a vehicle for safe sleeping. Please click on the hyperlinks below for more information.
