The ICMR and NCDC have been working together to understand the causes behind sudden unexplained deaths, especially in young adults between the ages of 18 and 45 years.To explore this, two complementary studies were undertaken using different research approaches — one based on past data and another involving real-time investigation.The first study conducted by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) was titled “Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India – a multi-centric matched case control study.”This study was carried out from May to August 2023 across 47 tertiary care hospitals in 19 states and Union territories, the statement said.It looked at individuals who appeared to be healthy but died suddenly between October 2021 and March 2023.The findings have conclusively showed that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of unexplained sudden deaths in young adults.The second study titled “Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained deaths in young” is currently being conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi with funding and in collaboration with ICMR.This is a prospective study aimed at determining the common causes of sudden deaths in young adults.Early analysis of data from the study indicates that heart attacks or myocardial infarction (MI) continue to be the leading cause of sudden death in this age group, the statement said.Importantly, no major changes in the pattern of causes have been observed when compared with previous years.In majority of the unexplained death cases, genetic mutations have been identified as a possible cause of these deaths.The final results will be shared once the study is complete.Together, these two studies offer a more comprehensive understanding of sudden unexplained deaths in young adults in India.
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