1292 A Review of Infantile Deaths in the Children Emergency, Singapore

Abstract

Infantile deaths have a large impact on the familyand the community.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has been welldescribed.

It was proposed that Sudden Infant Death Syndromeonly occurred in the presence of a lethal triad: Avulnerable infant, a critical developmental period inhomeostatic control, and an exogenous stressor. Prone placement, bed-sharing and maternalsmoking have been identified as risk factors. Thesefindings have led to recommendations regarding thesleep practices among the infant population. In thisstudy, we aim to conduct a retrospective study of alllocal infant deaths since 1997 to 2009. There were53 infants aged less than 1 year who presentedto the Children Emergency in cardiopulmonarycollapse. Of these, 9 (17.0%) were neonates, 10(18.9%) were 1-3 months old and the remainder34 (64.1%) were older than 3 months. Amongthose deaths attributed to medical causes, 32(68.1%) were due to respiratory causes, 7 (14.9%)cardiovascular causes and 2 (4.2%) neurologicalcauses. Only 3 (6.4%) were attributed to SIDS. Among the respiratory cases, 30 (93.8%) were dueto pneumonia and 2 cases due to aspiration (6.2%). 2 cases had positive microbiological diagnosis. Of the 4 cases attributed to trauma, 3 died fromsuffocation and 1 from drowning. There was 1 caseof poisoning from salicylic acid.

This retrospective review serves as a basis for afuture prospective study. Determination of risk factorscan lead to recommendations to the community thatfurther decrease infant death rates.

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