Tumours presenting as sudden death: the Sheffield children’s experience

Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and sudden unexpected death in childhood (SUDC) are descriptive terms that refer to a sudden mode of death not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death, and whose cause is not immediately apparent.1 SUDI and childhood death due to undiagnosed neoplasia is extremely rare. Previous case reports and reviews have shed light on the incidence and the variety of tumours presenting as sudden death. A study from The Sick Children’s Hospital, Vancouver reported eight cases of tumour-related sudden death (0.14% incidence),2 while Great Ormond Street Hospital, London reported eight cases (0.33%–0.53% incidence)3 and the Department of Forensic Medicine, Stockholm reported two cases (0.5% incidence).4 We aim to describe the Sheffield Children’s experience with tumours presenting as sudden death in infants and children during a 22-year period.