SUDIC protocol - emergency department (ED) response
Purpose Clear, practical ED guidance for the immediate clinical, legal and family‑care actions when a child presents with Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy and Childhood (SUDIC). Integrates Resuscitation Council UK clinical expectations, statutory child‑death review (England) and national safe‑sleep evidence. Adapt to local Trust/region processes and contacts.
Definitions and classification
- SUDIC: working term at presentation for a sudden, unexpected death or collapse of a child within 24 hours where no pre‑existing cause is apparent. Use this label until investigations clarify cause (Child Death Review statutory guidance).
- SUDI: sudden unexpected death in infancy (typically used for infants under 24 months).
- SUDC: sudden unexpected death in childhood (children aged ≥ 24 months).
- SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - reserved for infants < 12 months and only used after full investigation excludes other causes.
- Newborns: if a midwife attended delivery and stillbirth criteria are met, the death may be a stillbirth; if no midwife was present at delivery and the death is unexpected, manage as SUDIC pending investigation.
Initial priorities on arrival
1. Immediate clinical care
- Follow Resuscitation Council UK newborn and paediatric life‑support algorithms without delay.
- Continue prehospital CPR when present and escalate senior input early.
- If signs of death are obvious, follow local pronounced‑dead procedures.
- Decisions to continue or stop resuscitation should be made...