Abstract â–¡ 15

Sudden and unexpected death infancy (SUID) is a family crisis. This represents "trauma" in the fullest psychological meaning of the term because the family has no warning-no opportunity to anticipate or prepare mentally or emotionally for the tragic event. We as health professionals have a dual role of implementing a family support system and preventing further disease or disability within the family and community.

An understanding of the diagnostic aspects of SUID is critical to health professionals. In my experience resolution of grief begins with an understanding as to why death occurred. This presentation with attempt to explain how the diagnosis of SUID is established. The pathogenesis of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) will be discussed by correlating the clinical associations and relevant physiological abnormalities.

I believe that this discussion will allow health professionals to educate themselves about the medical aspects of SUID. Hopefully this will make a difference in the amount of sadness experienced by a family whose infant dies of SUID.