American Academy of Pediatrics. Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect and Committee on Community Health Services. Investigation and review of unexpected infant and child deaths

Pediatrics. 1999 Nov;104(5 Pt 1):1158-60.

Abstract

Although there is a continuing need for timely review of child deaths, no uniform system exists for investigation in the United States. Investigation of a death that is traumatic, unexpected, obscure, suspicious, or otherwise unexplained in a child younger than 18 years requires a scene investigation and an autopsy. Review of these deaths requires the participation of pediatricians and other professionals, usually as a child death review team. An appropriately constituted team should evaluate the death investigation process, review difficult cases, and compile child death statistics.

Publication types

  • Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autopsy*
  • Cause of Death*
  • Child
  • Child Abuse* / diagnosis
  • Child, Preschool
  • Forensic Medicine / standards
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Interprofessional Relations
  • Pediatrics