Pathologizing the unknown: a sociological explanation for the (mis-)use of sudden infant death syndrome as a diagnosis

article

2020

OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a diagnosis given to infants who die suddenly and unexpectedly before the age of one. After decades of research into SIDS, little has been conclusively determined regarding the etiology of this phenomenon. While SIDS deaths are in reality undetermined deaths, there is resistance to abandon SIDS and synonymous terminology. This paper identifies the social functions that a diagnosis of SIDS provides both to the families of the deceased, as well as the physicians who treat them. It is suggested that these social functions help to explain why, despite being inaccurate and misleading, SIDS is still widely used today. It is argued, however, that the forensic pathology and medical community as a whole should lead a systematic shift away from the use of SIDS as a diagnosis. Adopting more medically-appropriate terminology would better serve the goals of the medical profession and the families they serve.

0030-2228

Accepted for publication

Sudden infant death syndrome--Etiology
Sudden infant death syndrome--Diagnosis
Diagnostic errors

SAGE Publications (Association for Death Education Counseling)

Peer reviewed

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
©2020. The Author.