Table 1.

Proposed classification schema for sudden and unexpected infant death

A. SIDS: Sudden and unexpected death of an infant <12 months of age that is unexplained by a compete autopsy, death scene investigation and medical record reviewa

B. Unclassified—Possibly Asphyxial-Related: implies a possible asphyxiating environmentb

C. Unclassified—Non-asphyxial-Relatedc

D. Unclassified—No autopsy and/or death scene investigation

E. Known cause of death

^aCircumstances of no or at most mild asphyxia, e.g. prone sleeping on a firm surface

^bStrong circumstances of asphyxia such as adult bed-sharing, soft bedding, or potential re-breathing

^cCause of death uncertain, but no circumstances of asphyxia (e.g., hyper- or hypothermia, underlying natural disease of unclear significance)