According to the American Heart Association (AHA), sudden cardiac arrest in children and infants is relatively rare but can be deadly. Here are some latest facts from AHA:
1. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death among adults, but it's rare in children and infants.
2. The incidence of sudden cardiac arrest in infants and children is estimated to be between 0.6 and 8.2 cases per 100,000 children per year.
3. SCA in children and infants is often related to underlying heart conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, long QT syndrome, or congenital heart disease.
4. SCA can occur in children and infants who appear to be healthy, often due to a condition called sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS).
5. Children who experience SCA are more likely to survive if bystanders provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use an automated external defibrillator (AED) within a few minutes of collapse.
6. The AHA recommends that all schools and youth athletic organizations have an emergency action plan in place for sudden cardiac arrest.
It's important to note that while SCA is rare in children and infants, it can still happen, and knowing how to recognize and respond to SCA can save lives.