Infant and Child Death Review (ICDR)
Understanding the ICDR Process
The Infant and Child Death Review (ICDR) is a prevention-focused process aimed at understanding and addressing the factors contributing to infant and child deaths in South Dakota. By bringing together a multidisciplinary team of professionals, the ICDR examines the circumstances surrounding each death to identify patterns, risk factors, and opportunities for intervention.
The review process supports case investigations while also informing public health strategies, policy recommendations, and prevention efforts to reduce future fatalities.
Source: Adapted from Fraser J, Sleap V, Sidebotham P. Child death review statutory and operational guidance: maximizing learning from child deaths. Archives of Disease in Childhood. 2020;105(4):315-8.
What Cases Does the ICDR Review?
In South Dakota, the ICDR committees review only the deaths of infants and children who were born and discharged from the hospital.
- They do not review deaths of infants who were born, never left the hospital, and died before discharge.
- The review process focuses on preventable causes of death, such as:
- Unsafe sleep environments
- Congenital conditions
- Maternal health risks
Data Insight: Percentage of infant deaths reviewed by the ICDR committees versus all SD infant deaths (2019-2023).
ICDR Committees & Structure
There are two regional ICDR committees in South Dakota:
- East River ICDR: Reviews deaths in the 44 counties east of the Missouri River.
- West River ICDR: Reviews deaths in the 22 counties west of the Missouri River.
Both teams include professionals from:
- Law enforcement
- Child Protection Services
- Hospital staff & emergency medical services
- Behavioral health experts
- Forensic pathology
- Tribal health organizations
Confidentiality & Ethical Standards
The ICDR operates under strict confidentiality protocols, ensuring that sensitive information is used solely to improve the health and safety of South Dakota’s infants and children.
Through data-driven insights and collaboration, the ICDR transforms tragic losses into meaningful action, strengthening community-wide efforts to protect children’s lives.
How the ICDR Uses Data for Prevention
Since 2012, South Dakota has used the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System (NFR-CRS) to collect data from reviewed cases. This system is the same tool supporting CDR and FIMR teams across the country, allowing South Dakota to:
- Analyze data
- Identify patterns
- Understand risk factors
- Develop actionable prevention efforts
ICDR & Statewide Coordination
The statewide advisory committee meets annually to review findings and recommend strategies to reduce infant and child mortality.
Recognizing the overlap in risk factors across pregnancy-associated, infant, and child deaths, the South Dakota Department of Health has consolidated its death review efforts under a single framework—Prevention Services—to ensure: ✔ A coordinated approach to data analysis ✔ Stronger prevention initiatives ✔ More effective policy recommendations
Coordinator: The Mortality Review Manager, Josh Brown (Josh.Brown@state.sd.us), oversees both ICDRs as well as the Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), ensuring a comprehensive, data-driven approach to addressing shared risk factors.
How ICDR Data Translates into Prevention Efforts
Findings from ICDR case reviews contribute to statewide prevention efforts, ensuring that lessons learned from past deaths are used to protect future infants and children.
ICDR Data Supports:
- The safe-sleep initiatives in South Dakota:
- Maternal health initiatives
- Public health policies to reduce disparities
ICDR Reports & Infographics: Provide data-driven recommendations for policymakers.
Ongoing Updates: South Dakota continues to publish updated reports based on the latest infant and child mortality data to guide prevention strategies.
Explore the Data
For a deep dive into the data, explore the South Dakota Infant Mortality Dashboard.
South Dakota Infant & Child Death Review (ICDR) Committee
Dr. Denise Hanisch, MD – South Dakota DOH Medical Director
Josh Brown – Mortality Review Manager – South Dakota DOH
Kaylyn Davis – South Dakota DOH/Black Hills Special Services Pediatric Data Abstractor
Dr. Nancy Free, DO – Pediatrician, Sanford Health
Dr. Kenneth Snell, MD – Pathologist, Sanford Health
Brian Schnabel – State of South Dakota DCI Inspector
Dr. Nicole Poppinga – Pediatrician, Avera Health
Sgt. Sean Kooistra – City of Sioux Falls Police Department (until the end of October 2026)
Sgt. Cole German – City of Sioux Falls Police Department
Holly Madison – Registered Nurse, Sanford Health
Alejandra Ortiz – Infant and Child Health Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH/Black Hills Special Services
Jason Simon-Ressler – Child Health Coordinator, South Dakota DOH
Amber Bachtell – Avera Health & University of South Dakota
Vicki Burger – Licensed Social Worker, South Dakota Department of Social Services
Erin Kinder – Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH Contractor
Ally Gross – Injury Prevention Coordinator, South Dakota DOH
Amanda Weinzetl – Injury Prevention Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH
Jordan Mounga – Program Manager, Suicide Prevention with South Dakota DOH
Tracy Naughton – Social Services Program Specialist, South Dakota Department of Social Services
Vanessa Barnes – Assistant Director, South Dakota Department of Social Services
Shaina Smykle – Social Services Program Specialist, South Dakota Department of Social Services
Caelin Sutcliff – Pediatrics Resident, University of South Dakota
Alexa Stallings – Newborn Screening Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH
Abby Callan – Maternal and Child Health Director, South Dakota DOH
Christina Young – USD Center for Prevention of Maltreatment of Children
Dr. Denise Hanisch, MD – South Dakota DOH Medical Director
Josh Brown – Mortality Review Manager – South Dakota DOH
Kaylyn Davis – South Dakota DOH/Black Hills Special Services Pediatric Data Abstractor
Dr. Jordyn Gunville-Pourier – Center for Indigenous Health/Johns Hopkins University
Johnna Hewitt – DNP-FNP, Indian Health Services
Rikki Burgess – Family Services Supervisor, State of South Dakota Department of Social Services
Melinda Harbaugh – Social Worker, Monument Health
Dane Rasmussen – Special Agent, DCI South Dakota
Robert Rendon – Division Chief, Rapid City FD & VP, SD Ambulance Association
Jessica Reiff – Family Services Supervisor, State of South Dakota Department of Social Services
Jesse Fagerland – Pennington County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Chris Williams – Meade County Sheriff’s Office
Laurel Rick – Infant Health Coordinator, South Dakota DOH
Alejandra Ortiz – Infant and Child Health Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH/Black Hills Special Services
Elizabeth Rus – Counselor, Rapid City Area Schools
Amy Iverson – CEO, West River Mental Health
Kristin Belsaas – Pediatrician - Monument Health
Abby Callan – Maternal and Child Health Director, South Dakota DOH
Monica Eaton – Harris, Children’s Home Society of South Dakota
Alexa Stallings – Newborn Screening Epidemiologist, South Dakota DOH
Tiffanie Petro – Attorney, Pennington County State’s Attorney’s Office