Effects of sudden infant death on bereaved siblings: a comparative study

This study investigated behavioural problems (as rated by mothers) in 38 children who had been suddenly bereaved of an infant sibling between 3 and 27 months previously. These children were compared with 40 children matched on age, gender, family composition and social background. Bereaved siblings were reported to have a prolonged and significantly elevated rate of non-specific behavioural problems. It is argued that, either the bereaved children's problems were real, or bereaved mothers' perceptions of their surviving children were significantly distorted. In either case, there is serious cause for concern about the welfare of children in families bereaved by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.