THE SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME (SIDS) I N AUSTRIA - IS THE DIAGNOSIS RELIABLE

The sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most frequent cause of death during the postneonatal period (2-12 months) in Austria. A retro spective analysis of the SIDS cases registered between 1988 und 1992, however, shows marked differences between the provinces with regard to the relative proportion of SIDS against total infant mortality figure s. The use of different definitions for SIDS seems to be responsible f or local differences. Thus, a standardized investigation for all sudde n unexpected deaths is required (autopsy, histological investigations, death scene investigation). Futhermore, a uniform classification for sudden unexpected infant death should be applied.