Prevalence of sudden unexpected death of infants and its subcategories in low- or middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol.

Journal: BMJ open

Volume: 15

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 2025

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa natasha.rhoda@uct.ac.za. South African Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa. Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Dr, South Africa. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa. Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.

Abstract summary 

Infant mortality in low or middle-income countries (LoMICs) is still triple that of high-income countries (HICs), and the high mortality burden regions are also weighed down by a triple or quadruple burden of disease such as HIV and tuberculosis; chronic illness; mental health; injury and violence; and maternal, neonatal and child mortality. Emerging data suggest that the sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) burden in LoMICs is at least 10-fold that in HICs. While ending preventable deaths in the neonatal period has received some global attention, the postnatal period where SUDIs occur is a poorly understood and data-poor area in LoMICs. We propose conducting a systematic review to evaluate the burden and trends of SUDIs in LoMICs since 2004.We will systematically search PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, African Index Medicus, EBSCOHost, Google Scholar, WHOIS and WHO database to identify studies published from July 2004 until October 2024. Two reviewers will screen titles and abstracts and select full-text articles independently for review. We will use the tool developed by the South African Medical Research Council-Burden of Disease Review Manager (BODRevMan)-to assess the risk of bias for each included study. Risk of bias will be assessed for each included study. Information on the prevalence and/or incidence of SUDI and its subcategories and case definitions will be extracted from each article. Where possible, data on prevalence, incidence and subcategories will be pooled using a random effects meta-analysis to account for variability between estimates. The I statistic will establish the level of heterogeneity due to variation in estimates rather than chance. Results will be presented in tables and graphs. The systematic review will be reported according to the PRISMA 2020 checklist.Ethical approval is not required as this is a protocol for a systematic review. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.CRD42023466162.

Authors & Co-authors:  Rhoda Natasha R NR Turawa Eunice E Engel Mark M Ayouni Imen I Zuhlke Liesl L Coetzee David D Mathews Shanaaz S

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  7
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091246
SSN : 2044-6055
Study Population
Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Child;Mortality;NEONATOLOGY;PAEDIATRICS;PUBLIC HEALTH;Prevalence
Study Design
Case Study
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
England