Management of sudden unexpected death in childhood (Rapid Response)
Last updated: January 9, 2009
Table of Contents
2. Definitions
An unexpected death is defined as the death of a child, in any setting, that was not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death, or where there was a similarly unexpected collapse leading to or precipitating the events that led to the death.
The paediatrician responsible for sudden unexpected deaths in childhood [SUDC paediatrician] should be consulted where professionals are uncertain about whether the death is unexpected. If in doubt, this protocol should be followed until the available evidence enables a different decision to be made. In exceptional cases the Coroner should be consulted subject to the provision of the following paragraph
‘All sudden unexpected deaths come within the remit of the coroner who has exclusive jurisdiction and control of the body of the deceased child. Individual circumstances are likely to require individual solutions and the coroner will always be willing to discuss specific arrangements between the hours of 07.00 and 23.00. Outside these hours the coroner should only be contacted in cases of absolute urgency.’
