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The ICHABOD syndrome is a sign of imminent death from any chronic cause. The disease name is an acronym for a number of clinical signs used by doctors to predict death in a patient with a longstanding incurable disease.

As well as being an acronym, the syndrome name may also be derived from the Old Testament daughter-in-law of Eli who, before dying in childbirth, named her son Ichabod, which translates as 'the glory has departed.

The components of the acronym are: -

•  Immobility - fewer than 20% of patients can stand within two days before death.

•  Confusion and coma - 40% become comatose and 30% confused in the two days before death.

•  Homeostatic (body function regulation) failure - failure of temperature regulation, blood pressure control and circulation to hands and feet are common in the two days before death.

•  Anorexia (loss of appetite) - very common in final week before death.

•  Blood - blood test changes indicative of imminent death.

•  Observation - occasional (rather than regular) observation of facial appearance shows marked deterioration in personality features.

•  Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) - 30%of patients become short of breath in last two days. Cheyne-Stokes respiration is very common in last few hours.