New Jersey’s experience with the SUID Case Registry

New Jersey has a population of nearly 9 million people representing a diverse population. Approximately one third of births are to foreign-born mothers. Each year about 250 infant deaths are identified and reviewed by the Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Board (CFNFRB). Approximately 40% of the infant deaths identified for review had a cause or manner of death listed as ‘undetermined'. Once a case is reviewed and determined preventable or non-preventable, the case is entered into the Child Death Review web-based data collection system. Only when all information is entered and checked; and the final death certificate is obtained is the case considered cleaned and completed. New Jersey has reviewed 167 SUID cases since 2009. Of these, 107 were under age of 3 months, 70 were classified as SIDS and only 11 were determined preventable. Of the 167 SUID cases, 119 were not in a crib or bassinette, 89 were not on back at time of death, and 78 were sleeping with other people. Of the 22 suffocation/asphyxia SUID cases since 2009, 20 were sleep related. As a result of participating in the SUID Case Registry pilot program, New Jersey has instituted some practice and policy changes to improve SUID case investigation and create SUID prevention activities.