CDC’s Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Initiative

Since 1998, it appears that  medical examiners and coroners are moving away from classifying deaths as SIDS  and calling more deaths accidental suffocation or unknown cause, suggesting  that diagnostic and reporting practices have changed. Inconsistent practices in  investigation and cause-of-death determination hamper the ability to monitor  national trends, ascertain risk factors, and design and evaluate programs to  prevent these deaths.

As a response, CDC’s Division of Reproductive  Health’s (DRH) began the Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Initiative. CDC  and its partners began activities aimed at improving the investigation and  reporting practices of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other SUID.

The CDC’s research on SUID  and SIDS focuses on efforts to standardize and improve data collected at infant  death scenes and to promote consistent classification and reporting of cause  and manner of death for SUID cases. By  improving national reporting of SUID, we aim to prevent SUIDs by using improved  data to monitor trends and identify those at risk.

SUID Initiative Goals and Activities

The goals of the SUID  Initiative are to—

1. Standardize and improve data collected  at death scene.
2. Promote consistent classification and  reporting of cause of death.
3. Improve national reporting of SUID.
4. Reduce SUID by using improved data to  identify those at risk.

To accomplish these  objectives, the CDC SUID Initiative collaborated with a number of organizations  to—

1. Revise the 1996 Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation  Reporting Form (SUIDIRF).
2. Develop a training curriculum and materials for investigators of  infant deaths.
3. Train medicolegal professionals and child advocates to conduct  comprehensive infant death investigations.
4. Develop and implement a state-based SUID  Case Registry.

Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form

In 2003, CDC led activities aimed at revising  the 1996 Sudden Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form and Guidelines for the scene investigation, as well as actively educating and disseminating training materials on infant  death scene investigations.

In March 2006, a revised reporting form known as  the SUIDIRF was  released. Along with the revised SUIDIRF, the CDC and partners developed  training materials and conducted train-the-trainer regional academies for  medical examiners, coroners, investigators, and child advocates across the United States.

……Proposal to Ban Sale of Crib Bumper Pads in MD

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene News Release

Baltimore, MD (September 27, 2011) – The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene today announced that it will publish for public comment a proposal to ban the sale of crib bumper pads for infants starting in January 2013.  The Department also released a document summarizing the evidence and providing the basis for its action. The proposed ban is part of a broader effort to promote safe sleep for infants by encouraging the ABCs: Babies should sleep Alone, on their Backs, and in a Crib.

The proposal follows a public input and review process.  As part of this process, a panel of health experts, after reviewing available data, evidence and public comments and holding two public meetings, concluded that the risks associated with the use of crib bumper pads in infant cribs outweigh potential benefits.

“Our priority is the health of infants in Maryland,” said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Secretary of DHMH. “We agree with our expert advisors that based on all available evidence, these products pose an unnecessary risk to infants.”

UI researchers help make SIDS breakthrough

Investigating Unexpected Infant Death [Tennessee]

This training program is a result of the Sudden Unexplained Child Death Act, which has mandated emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and law enforcement officers receive training on handling cases of sudden, unexplained infant death as part of their basic and continuing education requirements. The training program was developed by Middle Tennessee State University in consultation with the Tennessee Department of Health, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, and the Tennessee Medical Examiner’s office.

City Records Fifth Infant Unsafe Sleep Death

A 6-month-old boy was found dead earlier this week after spending a night sleeping with two brothers on the floor of his mother’s and father’s bedroom, according to a medical examiner’s report released Wednesday.

While the cause of death remains undetermined, the child, Davion, is at least the fifth Milwaukee infant to die in an unsafe sleeping environment this year.

Rethinking SIDS: Many Deaths No Longer A Mystery

July 15, 2011
by Andrea Hsu

The thought of a baby dying suddenly and unexpectedly is one that keeps parents awake at night, fearing the worst. For years, little was known about sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Babies would die in their sleep, and it was presumed that little could be done to prevent those deaths.

Today in the U.S., more than 2,000 babies die of SIDS every year, according to government figures.

But the mystery surrounding SIDS is not what it once was. Many SIDS deaths are now believed to be accidents caused by unsafe sleep practices. And some are questioning whether the term SIDS remains relevant at all.

Read the entire article on the NPR website at: http://www.npr.org/2011/07/15/137859024/rethinking-sids-many-deaths-no-longer-a-mystery

Safer Cribs for Babies Available Starting Today

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today marks the day that consumers will see a new generation of safer cribs for sale at local and national retail stores. Safer cribs will mean a safer sleep for babies across the country. On December 15, 2010, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously to approve new mandatory crib standards, establishing the most stringent crib safety standards in the world. Starting today, all importers, distributors, manufacturers, and retailers must offer only cribs that meet the CPSC’s new and improved full-size and non-full-size crib standards.

The Children’s Trust of South Carolina

The Children’s Trust of South Carolina (CTSC) is pleased to announce it has been selected as one of five South Carolina nonprofit organizations to compete in the Walmart Associate Choice Program.

Archived News Articles: April 2008 – June 2011

NPR – June 29, 2011 “The Child Cases: Guilty Until Proved Innocent”

Lufkin, TX – June 27, 2011 “Lufkin couple’s second baby death leads to indictments for child endangerment”

Florence, AL – June 22, 2011 “Supportive, Not Punitive”

South Florida – June 6, 2011 “Bedtime Could Be Deadly for Your Baby”

Mt. Vernon, IL – June 3, 2011 “Coroner Launches Safe Baby Initiative”

Parents Against Co-Sleeping – June 3, 2011 “FIMR (Fetal Infant Mortality Review) Position on Bed Sharing”

Natural Family Online – May 26, 2011 “Dr. Sears Attachment Parenting”

Baltimore, MD – May 20, 2011 “Maryland Task Force Recommends Banning Crib Bumpers”

Bay of Plenty, New Zealand – May 7, 2011 “Coroner slams practice [bedsharing] after four infant deaths”

Lincoln, NE – April 22, 2011 “Police Issue Warning After Three Infant Deaths”

Wall Street Journal – April 19, 2011 “When a Cuddly Crib Puts the Baby in Danger”

WHYY Newsworks – April 5, 2011 “Unsafe sleeping conditions claiming lives of more African American babies”

Pittsburgh, PA - April 5, 2011 “Unsafe sleeping conditions claiming lives of more African American babies”

Marion County, Fl – March 20, 2011 “Infant Deaths: Safely Lay Me Down to Sleep”

Jefferson County, IL – March 17, 2011 “The Dangers of Co-Sleeping: Mothers Speak Out”

Shreveport, LA – March 11, 2011 “Co-sleeping blamed, suspected in five infant deaths this year”

Consumer Product Safety Commission- March 4, 2011 New Crib Standard:  Questions and Answers

Masillon, OH – Feb. 23, 2011 – “Co-sleeping with Infants Can Be Deadly”

Austin, TX – Feb. 3, 2011 Is ‘Bed Sharing” Worth the Risk?

Pittsburgh, PA - January 13, 2011 “Cribs for Kids Program Nominated for National Award in Injury and violence prevention”

Pittsburgh, PA - October 26, 2010 “Everett Resolution Designates November as Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month in Pennsylvania”

Pittsburgh, PA - October 19, 2010 Cribs for Kids® National Infant Safe Sleep InitiativeHeadquarters in Pittsburgh, PA is thrilled to announce that Governor Edward G. Rendell signed House Bill 47 into law making it Act 73 of 2010.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. This brings us one BIG step closer to eliminating preventable sleep-related infant deaths….it’s for the babies!! Read Press Release

Birmingham, AL - “Jefferson County Pilot Project, led by Department of Child Abuse”

Ft. Bragg, NC – Aug. 31, 2010 Ft. Bragg investigates infant deaths

Consumer Product Safety Commission / Crib Recall – June 24, 2010 “Watch and Share: Check Your Crib for Safety” (This recall is NOT for the GRACO Pack n Play that is used by Cribs for Kids® or its partners.)

Charlotte, NC – June 5, 2010 “SIDS Rulings Mask Clues in Baby Deaths”

Johnstown, PA - March 30, 2010 “Speaker to Discuss Crib Safety”

Lehigh Acres, FL – March 30, 2010 “Fore the children” Golf Tourney Planned”

Philadelphia, PA – March 25, 2010 “Maternity Care Coalition Kicks off Celebrating Mothers Campaign”

Pittsburgh, PA – (March 17, 2010 “SIDS Cribs for Kids Honors Women Achievers”

Augusta, GA – (March 17, 2010) “Safe Kids Launches Cribs for Kids®“

Washington, D.C. - (Dec. 30, 2009) “Dorel Juvenile Group Recalls Play Yards with Bassinets Due to Suffocation Hazard” (This recall is NOT for the GRACO Pack n Play that is used by Cribs for Kids® or its partners.)

Washington, D.C. – (Nov. 23, 2009) “Infant Entrapment and Suffocation Prompts Stork Craft to Recall More Than 2.1 Million Drop-Side Cribs” (This recall is NOT for the GRACO Pack n Play that is used by Cribs for Kids® or its partners.)

Pittsburgh, PA – (Sept. 3, 2009) “Newborn Leaves Behind a Cherished Legacy”

CNN – Aug. 24, 2009 “Infant Car Seats Can Trim Babies’ Oxygen Levels”

New York NY – (May 7, 2009) “Do Good Feel Good: Cribs for Kids® “

New York, NY – (Dec. 10, 2008) “Cribs for Kids® Program Lends Helping Hand”

Pittsburgh, PA - (Oct. 9, 2008) “Cribs for Kids® Center to Open in North Side”

Columbia, SC – (Apr. 29, 2008) “Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital Announces ‘Cribs for Kids® of the Midlands”

West Chester, PA – (Apr. 28, 2008) “Chester County PA government employees donate to Cribs for Kids® program”

Seattle, WA - (Apr. 23, 2008) “Sheriff’s Office to Announce Cribs for Kids® Program“