Systematic review of care models and components supporting families after Sudden and Unexpected Deaths in Children (SUDIC)

Uhm, Seilin S, Wright, David, Hunt, Katherine, Garstang, Joanna, Payne, Vicky, Gage, Heather and Darlington, Anne-Sophie (2025) Systematic review of care models and components supporting families after Sudden and Unexpected Deaths in Children (SUDIC) PROSPERO 17pp.

Abstract

The sudden and unexpected death of a child presents a profoundly traumatic experience for families and poses significant challenges for healthcare, social care, and legal systems. Bereavement support following such deaths is complex, and service provision remains highly variable, often fragmented and inconsistently integrated across sectors. While there is growing recognition of the need for coordinated bereavement care, existing literature predominantly focuses on specific interventions or settings, with limited synthesis of how different models and components of care function in practice across health, social care, and voluntary services. This systematic review aims to address this gap by identifying and evaluating the structures, processes, and effectiveness of formal and informal care models and components delivered to families following sudden and unexpected deaths in children. It will explore multi-agency responses, including child death review processes and coroner involvement, as well as the delivery of bereavement support such as counselling, crisis response, and peer-led services. The review will synthesise diverse study designs (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods) to generate a comprehensive understanding of care provision and highlight best practices and systemic barriers. Particular attention will be paid to resource implications, access disparities, and economic efficiency within and across sectors. The findings will contribute to evidence-based recommendations for improving the quality, coordination, and equity of bereavement care.

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Contributors

Author: Seilin S Uhm

Author: David Wright

Author: Katherine Hunt

Author: Vicky Payne

Author: Anne-Sophie Darlington

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