Summary.Fetal haemoglobin levels have been measured prospectively in 1 35 autopsy cases of sudden, unexpected infant deaths (51 pre‐term. 104 full term) using standard laboratory methods. These results have been compared with Hb F values from a normal control group of 570 living infants (145 pre‐term, 425 full‐term) with a post‐conceptional age38 weeks gestational age) sudden infant death victims as a group have significantly elevated Hb F levels (χ= 25.20. P<0.001) when compared to the gestational age matched control group. Pre‐term (<38 weeks gestational age) SIDs show no significant differences from the pre‐term control group (χ2= 1.20, n.s.) The division of the controls into pre‐ and full‐term groups demonstrates major differences between the post‐natal Hb F fall in pre‐ and full‐term infants. Use of post‐conceptional age as a growth marker does not produce comparability with full‐term infants.Extensive controls were carried out to confirm the reliability of post‐mortem Hb F assays, and comparability within vivoestimation. No significant or systematic differences between pre‐ and post‐mortem samples were identified, nor were any significant differences foun
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