Sudden unexpected death in children with a previously diagnosed cardiovascular disorder

Polderman, F.N.
Cohen, Joeri
Blom, N.A.
Delhaas, T.
Helbing, W.A.
Lam, J.
Sobotka-Plojhar, M.A.
Temmerman, Arno M.
Sreeram, N.

Open link

Publication date

January 2004

DOI

10.1016/j.ijcard.2003.03.026

Publisher

Elsevier BV

ISSN

0167-5273

Citation count (estimate)

Abstract

Background: It is known that children with previously diagnosed heart defects die suddenly. The causes of death are often unknown. Objective: The aim of the study was to identify all infants and children within the Netherlands with previously diagnosed heart disease who had a sudden unexpected death (SUD), and to identify the possible cause of death. Design: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients and setting: All children (<19 years) with a previously diagnosed heart defect and SUD between January 1990 and June 2001 in seven out of eight tertiary centres in the Netherlands were identified using the hospital databases. We excluded patients receiving compassionate care. Diagnoses, clinical status and circumstances of death were sought...