When a baby or infant suddenly dies without any medical history or clear explanation, various doctors and those in the medical profession may refer this as either SIDS, SUDI or even SUID. With all these letters being thrown about, you may be very confused.

So what is the difference between SIDS, SUDI and SUID?

Are they even the same? Are they totally different?

SIDS: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Generally in the past, these cases were referred to as SIDS or “sudden infant death syndrome”. SIDS was used as the term for cases where an infant dies suddenly and unexpectedly. The death of the infant remains unexplained even after a proper postmortem investigation. SIDS is still commonly used as the term for these cases.

SUDI: Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy

The term SUDI or “sudden unexpected death in infancy”, on the other hand, has been proposed in some countries such as Australia and New Zealand, to replace the SIDS term. It is suggested that SUDI is a clearer term than SIDS especially in providing better scientific, coronial and professional clarity.

SUID: Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proposed that these infant deaths should be referred to as SUID or “sudden unexpected infant deaths”. The even go further and suggest that SUID is the umbrella term for such deaths, whereas SIDS is only a subset of SUID.