Current events in sudden unexpected death in infancy in 2011

In 2011, questions raised in medicine, by the occurrence of the unexpected death of an infant (SUDI), are far from having found definitive answers. Explanations remain fragmented, statistics are fuzzy, research is unsystematic and care protocols are still highly varied in spite of recommendations by the HAS (Haute Autorite de sante, French National Authority for Health) in 2007, which are, in practice, difficult to follow. After 17 years, preventive measures should have given much better results but they continue to come up against strong resistance from the public and certain professionals, a lack of proper resources and numerous contradictory messages from business, advertising and even medicine. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.