Investigating sudden unexpected deaths in infancy and childhood and caring for bereaved families: an integrated multiagency approach

The sudden unexpected death of an infant or young child warrants careful, evidence based investigation involving child protection teams, healthcare staff, and social services, to include a careful review of the history, examination of the scene of the death, postmortem examination to an evidence based protocol, and a multiagency review meeting. The aim is to provide help and support for the bereaved family, to identify where possible the cause of the death, to help prevent further such deaths if possible, and to ensure that future children are protected from avoidable environmental hazards, medical conditions (for example, metabolic conditions), and abuse.