Children dead on arrival: predictors of short-term family follow-up

Approximately three fourths of the parents whose children were pronounced dead in one emergency department maintained contact with a professional for at least a month following the death. Families whose children died of trauma did not maintain contact as well as those whose children died of anticipated death, sudden infant death syndrome, or infection. Strong family support system, employed parents, and appropriate response at the time of death all correlated with continued contact with a professional and adequate coping after death (P values all less than 0.04). Prior professional support was a less significant factor in follow-up, and disorganized, isolated parents with histories of poor social adjustment were far less likely to maintain contact.