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A Systematic Review of Molecular Autopsy Studies in Sudden Infant Death Cases

Laura Jane Heathfield1,2, Lorna Jean Martin1, Raj Ramesar2

  • 1Division of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa.

Journal of Pediatric Genetics
|November 16, 2018
PubMed

Sudden unexpected death is an upsetting event, which can remain unexplained even after post-mortem investigation. Internationally, molecular autopsies have shown to resolve up to 44% of unexplained cases; however, it is currently unclear how many of these were infants. This systematic literature review showed that significantly fewer infant cases were resolved (median: 4%) compared with cohorts of 1 to 45 years old (median: 32%). Further, no study involving indigenous African participants has yet been published. Overall, molecular autopsies hold immense value to living family members and is motivation to explore new avenues in infant cohorts.

Keywords:
medico-legal investigationnegative autopsysudden infant death syndrome

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