Authors:
Freemantle CJ, Read AW, de Klerk NH, Charles AK, McAullay D, Stanley FJ
Authors notes:
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, vol. 41, pp. 669-670
Keywords:
Aboriginal Australians, Definitions, Mortality rates, Sudden infant death syndrome
Abstract:
The diagnosis of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has undergone several changes in definition since first being recognised as a cause of death.
Linked total population data from Western Australia enable investigations to determine changes in classifications of mortality for the infants of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are referred to throughout this report as 'Aboriginal').
Data for recent years show a shift away from a classification of 'SIDS' towards a classification of 'unascertainable', particularly for Aboriginal infants.
This has implications for the accurate translation of data into policy and practice.