The effects of observed sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) on hospital staff

We have described an observed case of SIDS in a hospital setting. The victim was "well baby" hospitalized for psychosocial reasons. Death occurred on the fifth hospital day, during sleep and two hours after feeding. The death was silent and was preceded by cyanosis and respiratory arrest. Hospital staff who attended the baby during his admission experienced the same traumatic reactions as families of SIDS victims, ie, shock, disbelief, anger, guilt, fear, blaming, sadness, and behavioral manifestations. Information on SIDS, communication about feelings and continued group support were of utmost importance in helping the staff to deal with the crisis. Although they had experienced death and serious illness on the ward and continued to be faced with grave situations, the unique aspects of SIDS, namely lack of etiology and its sudden and unexpected onset, brought forth personal feelings of vulnerability and called for extra coping devices. Our experience illustrates the need of an in-hospital support system to assess needs, coordinate efforts, and offer timely intervention after the death of an infant or child.