Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1. With SIDS, an autopsy on the child does not show an explainable cause of death.
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of SIDS is unknown, but there are several theories. Many doctors and researchers believe that SIDS is a condition caused by several different factors. These factors may include problems with sleep arousal or an inability to sense a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood. Most SIDS deaths occur without any warning when the infant is thought to be sleeping.
The following have been linked to an increased risk of SIDS:
- Babies who sleep on their stomachs
- Babies who are around cigarette smoke while in the womb or after being born
- Babies who sleep in the same bed as their parents
- Babies who have soft bedding in the crib
- Multiple birth babies (being a twin, triplet, etc.)
- Premature babies
- Babies who have a brother or sister who had SIDS
- Mothers who smoke or use illegal drugs
- Teen mothers
- Short time period between pregnancies
- Late or no prenatal care
Symptoms
There are no symptoms for SIDS. Babies who die from SIDS do not appear to struggle.
Prevention
- Always put a baby to sleep on his/her back. Do NOT put a baby to sleep.
- Only put babies to sleep in a crib.
- Let babies sleep in the same room as parents, NOT the same bed.
- Avoid soft bedding materials.
- Make sure the room temperature is not too hot.
- Offer the baby a pacifier when going to sleep.
- Do NOT use a breathing monitor or products marketed to “reduce SIDS.”
Facts About SIDS
- SIDS claims the lives of almost 2,500 infants in the US each year. That is almost 7 babies every day.
- SIDS usually occurs between 2 and 4 months of age, and 90% of cases occur by 6 months.
- SIDS occurs more often in winter months, with the peak in January.
- There is also a greater rate of SIDS among Native and African Americans.
- SIDS affects boys more often than girls.
Visit www.sids.org to learn more about SIDS
