Sudden infant death syndrome diagnostic study of choice

# Overview
There is no single diagnostic test for the diagnosis of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is mostly diagnosed with the process of elimination of the other possible causes of the death in the infant.

# Diagnostic Study of Choice

## Study of choice
- The big issue with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is that there is no single diagnostic test for the diagnosis of the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- SIDS is mostly diagnosed with the process of elimination of the other possible causes of the death in the infant.
- Investigation of SIDS include the following:
An autopsy
Scene investigation and circumstances of the death
Exploration of the medical history of the infant and family
- An autopsy
- Scene investigation and circumstances of the death
- Exploration of the medical history of the infant and family

### Apparent Life-Threatening Events (ALTEs) may be helpful in evaluating for SIDS:
- ALTEs  can be found approximately in 1 of 400 infants
- ALTEs incules apneic episodes along with changes in the following:
Skin colour changes which include:
Cyanosis
Pallor
Erythema
Muscle tone either increased or decreased
Choking if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Barium studies
Observation
Gasping
Anemia if suspected, evaluate by doing complete blood count (CBC)
Apnea if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Continuous pulse oximetry
Sleep study
Long QT syndrome if suspected, evaluate by doing electrocardiography (ECG)
If suspected any upper respiratory problems like bronchiolitis, pertussis, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) do the following to confirm:
Chest radiography
Pulse oximetry
Respiratory syncytial virus
Pertussis culture
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Barium studies
Radioisotope scan
Infection if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Blood gas analysis (BGA)
Blood lactate level
Complete blood count (CBC)
Chest x-ray
Lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF)
Serum electrolytes
Urinalysis
- Skin colour changes which include:
Cyanosis
Pallor
Erythema
- Cyanosis
- Pallor
- Erythema
- Muscle tone either increased or decreased
- Choking if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Barium studies
Observation
- Barium studies
- Observation
- Gasping
- Anemia if suspected, evaluate by doing complete blood count (CBC)
- Apnea if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Continuous pulse oximetry
Sleep study
- Continuous pulse oximetry
- Sleep study
- Long QT syndrome if suspected, evaluate by doing electrocardiography (ECG)
- If suspected any upper respiratory problems like bronchiolitis, pertussis, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) do the following to confirm:
Chest radiography
Pulse oximetry
Respiratory syncytial virus
Pertussis culture
- Chest radiography
- Pulse oximetry
- Respiratory syncytial virus
- Pertussis culture
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Barium studies
Radioisotope scan
- Barium studies
- Radioisotope scan
- Infection if suspected, evaluate by doing:
Blood gas analysis (BGA)
Blood lactate level
Complete blood count (CBC)
Chest x-ray
Lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF)
Serum electrolytes
Urinalysis
- Blood gas analysis (BGA)
- Blood lactate level
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Chest x-ray
- Lumbar puncture (LP) with cerebrospinal fluid analysis (CSF)
- Serum electrolytes
- Urinalysis