Key result
Among 68 cases of sudden death in children aged 1 to 5 years, 27 were sudden natural deaths, of which 11 (40%) remained unexplained after review of autopsy records and histological sections.
Observational (n=68)
No
A significant proportion (40%) of sudden natural deaths in children aged 1 to 5 years remain unexplained after autopsy and histological review.
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Highlights diagnostic gaps in preschool sudden death; leaves open the value of molecular autopsy and genetic evaluation in unexplained cases.
All cases of sudden death of individuals between the ages of one and five years examined at the Forensic Institute, Copenhagen, in a 10-year period were identified to assess the impact of sudden unexplained death in this age group. Of a total of 68 cases, 27 cases were due to accidents, there were 13 cases of homicide, 27 cases were sudden natural deaths and in 1 case the manner of death was uncertain. The autopsy records and histological sections in the 27 cases of natural death were reviewed; the cause of death was not explained in 11 of these cases (40%). Seven cases were previously considered to be caused by infectious disease or aspiration. Criteria for classification are discussed.
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Helweg‐Larsen et al. (1993) conducted an observational in Sudden death (n=68). Forensic autopsy review was evaluated on Cause of death and proportion of sudden unexplained death. Among 68 cases of sudden death in children aged 1 to 5 years, 27 were sudden natural deaths, of which 11 (40%) remained unexplained after review of autopsy records and histological sections.
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