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| Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Initiative (SUIDI): How to use the
SUIDI Reporting Form |
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SUIDI Reporting Form: A Guide for Investigators
The SUIDI reporting form is a guide for novice and veteran investigators
of infant deaths. The form is designed to ensure that all information is
collected in a consistent, sensitive manner. The form is designed as a
questionnaire. You can read the questions to the person you are
interviewing. Most questions can be answered by placing a "√" in the corresponding box or filling in the blank. The
eight-page form is divided into nine sections. For more information
contact us.
- Investigation Data
This section is filled out first by the person (e.g., coroner, death scene
investigator, law enforcement official, medical examiner) who
interviews the witness.
- Primary residence. Address where the infant was living when he or
she died.
- Incident address. Address where the infant died or where the final
injury occurred.
- Witness. Person who knows some or all of the circumstances
surrounding the infant’s death. This may be the person who 1) last
placed the infant in or near the area where he or she was found not
breathing or breathing with distress, 2) last observed the infant alive,
or 3) found the infant not breathing or breathing with distress.
- Witness Interview
This section is filled out by the person who interviews the witness.
- Usual caregiver. The person who took care of the infant more than
50% of the time.
- Last placed. The last time the infant was put down to sleep or rest
(e.g., in a crib).
- Last known alive (LKA). The last time the infant was observed alive
(e.g., time when a parent heard the infant cry).
- Found. The act of finding the infant not breathing or breathing with
distress.
- Positional support. Item such as a wedge or pillow used to keep an
infant on their side or back while sleeping.
- Wedging. Being caught in a narrow space that causes interference
with chest wall movements and normal breathing (e.g., infant wedged
between mattress and bed frame).
- Infant’s Medical History
This section is filled out by the person investigating the infant’s
death. This information may be obtained from the infant’s healthcare
provider, medical record, or caregiver.
- Metabolic disorder. A disease that affects a person’s ability to use or
metabolize food (e.g., Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase or MCAD
deficiency).
- Birth defect. A physical or functional abnormality that the infant had at
birth (e.g., spina bifida, congenital heart defect, Down syndrome)
- Newborn screen. Tests done at birth to detect certain metabolic disorders.
- Infant Dietary History
This section is filled out by the person investigating the infant’s death.
The information should be obtained from the person who last fed the infant.
If that person is not the person who usually fed the infant, also interview
the infant’s usual feeder.
- Pregnancy History
This section is filled out by the person who interviews the biological or
birth mother or someone who knows her history well (e.g., her healthcare
provider, partner, or mother).
- Incident Scene Investigation
This section is filled out by the person investigating the infant’s death.
- Investigation Summary
Investigators use this section to describe any concerns they have that
are not documented in the preceding sections of the form. Investigators may
use the checkboxes to indicate when tasks are completed such as doll
reenactment.
- Investigation Diagrams
Scene Diagram—The investigator indicates the following on the scene
diagram:
- North direction.
- Windows and doors.
- Wall lengths and ceiling height.
- Location of furniture, including infant’s bed or sleep surface.
- Location of infant’s body when found.
- Position of other people or animals found near the infant.
- Location of heating and cooling devices and other objects in room.
Body Diagram—The investigator indicates the following on the body
diagram:
- Discoloration around face, nose, or mouth.
- Secretions (drainage or discharge from anywhere on the body).
- Skin discoloration (livor mortis).
- Pressure mark areas (pale areas, blanching).
- Rash or petechiae (small, red blood spots on skin, on membranes, or in
eyes).
- Marks on body (scratch or bruises).
- Location of medical devices (e.g., breathing tube, gastrostomy feeding
tube).
- Body temperature.
- Summary for Pathologist
This section summarizes all the information collected during the witness
interview and investigation at the incident or death scene. This section
should be completed last by the person investigating the infant’s death.
- Asphyxia. Condition of severely deficient supply of oxygen to the body
that can rapidly lead to unconsciousness and death (e.g., compression of
infant’s chest because he was wedged into a narrow space or had a person
lying on him).
- Overlying. Situation in which someone or something is placed on or over
the infant.
- Hyperthermia. Life-threatening condition in which the core body
temperature is above 40°C (104°F).
- Hypothermia. Life-threatening condition in which the core body temperature
falls below 35°C (95°F).
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National Academy Training Schedule
50 State
Summary of SIDS Laws* (The National Conference of State
Legislatures)
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Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
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Page last reviewed: 6/21/07
Page last modified: 6/21/07
Content source: Division
of Reproductive Health,
National Center for Chronic
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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