Sample Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome Parent/Guardian Letter

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Your son/daughter/ward has experienced a fainting episode at school. Fainting can be caused by a number of varying conditions. Our school protocol is to inform you of a medical condition called Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome (SADS) along with our school response and required parental/guardian follow-up for your child/ward to return to physical activity.

SADS refers to a variety of cardiac disorders which are often genetic and undiagnosed that can be responsible for sudden death in young, apparently healthy people. For example, Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), a genetic condition that predisposes individuals to arrhythmias, fainting spells and sudden death. It is often symptomless and can therefore remain undiagnosed.

For more information on SADS access www.sads.ca.

Recognition of the warning signs and early medical intervention are the keys to preventing sudden cardiac death in children and young adults.

For student with no previously diagnosed heart condition:

• Fainting or seizure during physical activity
• Fainting or seizures resulting from emotional excitement, emotional distress or being startled (for example, a sudden noise such as a school fire alarm system).
• All situations where there is fainting even when the individual wakes up quickly and seems fine

Note: These warning signs are not conclusive in and by themselves; however, the presentation of any one of the warning signs requires an immediate cardiac evaluation.

Call 911 immediately. Provide emergency medical services (EMS) with information of what led up to the individual fainting.
Contact parents/guardians as soon as reasonably possible.

Parents are provided with information on SADS and a Fainting Episode Form to be returned to the school administrator/designate.

No participation in physical activity until a medical assessment is completed and information from the parent/guardian is provided to the school administrator/designate.

The parent/guardian must seek immediate medical attention for the child/ward, requesting a cardiac assessment to be completed (for example, analysis of the heart rhythm by a cardiologist or an electrophysiologist).

Return the completed Fainting Episode Form to the school administrator/designate.