Understanding sudden unexpected infant deaths in Zambia and nearby African countries
Project Chisoni: a study to define the burden of SUDI and its modifiable risk factors in Zambia and other African countries
This project looks at how often sudden unexpected deaths happen in infants in Zambia and nearby African countries and which common, changeable factors may increase the risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University Medical Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11468172 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If a baby dies suddenly in a participating community, the team will work with families to collect medical information, interview caregivers about sleep conditions, feeding, and alcohol exposure, and perform careful postmortem exams when possible. They will combine these data across sites in Zambia and other African countries to estimate how many infant deaths are due to sudden unexpected causes and to find common, modifiable risks. The work is building the local evidence needed to adapt simple public health messages like 'back to sleep' to local settings. Participation centers on families affected by infant deaths and community health partners who help identify cases.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are families or guardians of infants who die suddenly or unexpectedly in the community at participating sites in Zambia or other partner African countries.
Not a fit: Families outside the study regions or cases with clear non-SUDI causes that are not captured by community surveillance are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to clear, locally appropriate advice and policies that reduce sudden infant deaths in participating communities.
How similar studies have performed: Back-to-sleep campaigns and postmortem surveillance in high-income countries have sharply reduced sudden infant deaths, but systematic SUDI research and prevention efforts remain limited across most of Africa, with only a few studies from South Africa.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston University Medical Campus — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Herlihy, Julie Moriarty — Boston University Medical Campus
- Study coordinator: Herlihy, Julie Moriarty
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.