Workshop 14

Investigation of sudden unexplained death in infancy

Mrs Mary Anne Preece, Birmingham

Do your on call staff know what to do when blood, urine and tissue specimens are taken in the middle of the night? Some infants with inherited metabolic disorders will die suddenly and unexpectedly. It is important to diagnose these disorders wherever possible. This workshop will explore what specimens should be considered in patients (especially children) who die suddenly and unexpectedly. Tissue specimens may also be taken from acutely ill patients either just before death or very soon afterwards. Issues to do with storage and transport of specimens in these scenarios will be discussed.