ACCIDENTAL DEATH OR SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME

Objective: To describe the reasons why it is difficult to decide whether to attribute some infant deaths to accidents or to SIDS. Methodology: To extract from infant deaths data in South Australia those where the cause of death is debatable. Results: The risks associated with rocking cradles, bed sharing, bedclothes, couch sleeping, unsafe cots or beds and the prone position are presented. Conclusions: Uniform worldwide death scene investigations for all infant deaths should help identify unsafe sleeping conditions for infants.