BACKGROUND: The problem of sudden death in the young is currently debated and 
measures for prevention are being evaluated worldwide. Information on the 
incidence and causes of sudden (cardiac) death in the young (1-40 years) is 
essential for the development of these preventive strategies.
METHODS: Incidence estimates and causes of death were determined using death 
certificate data of out-of-hospital sudden deaths recorded by Statistics 
Netherlands from 1996 to 2006. To define sudden death, International 
Classification of Diseases codes were selected based on a systematic review of 
the literature assessing the most common causes of sudden death in the young.
RESULTS: The incidence of sudden death was 2.07 (2.06-2.07 per 100 000 
person-years). The incidence was higher for men (2.86 per 100 000 person-years) 
than for women (1.24 per 100 000 person-years) and increased by age. The 
majority of sudden deaths was of cardiac origin. Sudden cardiac death incidence 
was 1.62 (1.61-1.62 per 100 000 person-years). In 9% the cause of death remained 
unexplained.
CONCLUSION: The incidence of sudden death in the young is 2.07 per 100 000 
person-years. Treatable cardiac causes (such as coronary atherosclerosis and 
inherited cardiac diseases) are often underlying for the sudden death. This 
information is helpful in the development of preventive strategies.