Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
A death of an otherwise healthy infant; it often occurs while the child is sleeping.
What is it? (Overview)
When a healthy baby under the age of one dies suddenly, and doctors can’t determine a cause after performing an
autopsy, reviewing family and medical history, and investigating the death scene, the cause of death is considered
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS is a recognized medical disorder. Over the past twenty-five years, more than 100,000 infants have died suddenly
and unexpectedly from SIDS.
What causes SIDS? (Causes)
No one really knows how or why SIDS strikes. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
(NICHD), the incidence of SIDS is highest between the ages of one to four months. At this age, most babies are still
unable to roll over by themselves.
Other potential risk factors include:
- Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, or drug use during pregnancy.
- Poor prenatal care.
- Premature or low-birth weight.
- Mothers younger than 20.
- Smoke exposure following birth.
- Sleeping on stomach.
How can I prevent it? (Prevention)
Unfortunately, there is no product or medicine that can entirely prevent SIDS. Scientists are still researching child
development and the function of the nervous system, the brain, the heart, breathing and sleep patterns, body chemical
balances, autopsy findings, and environmental factors. There are, however, some steps parents can take to help prevent
SIDS:
- The single most important thing you can do to help protect your baby is to place the baby to sleep on its back
(fig. 1).
- Don’t smoke during pregnancy, and don’t allow smoking around your baby.
- Use firm, flat bedding and keep toys out of the crib. Several studies have linked soft sleeping surfaces to an increased risk of SIDS.
- Try not to overheat your baby. Too warm a room or too much bedding is associated with an increased risk of SIDS, especially if the baby sleeps on its stomach. Keep the room your baby sleeps in at a comfortable temperature (between 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Breastfeed your baby if you can. While there is no evidence that directly links breastfeeding with a decreased rate of SIDS, breast milk is thought to keep babies healthier than formula.
- Remove pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, and other soft products from the crib.
- Consider using a sleeper or other sleep clothing as an alternative to blankets, with no other covering.
- If you use a blanket, position your baby with his feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, reaching only as far as your baby's chest.
- Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered while he sleeps.
- Do not place your baby on a waterbed, sofa, soft mattress, pillow, or other soft surface to sleep.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q:
A:
Where can I find more information? (Resources)
The
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Alliance is a national, not-for-profit, voluntary health organization dedicated to the
support of SIDS families, education, and research. Contact them toll free at 1-800-221-SIDS, or visit their web site at
http://www.sidsalliance.org
Resources
- The SIDS Alliance Web site. Available at: http://www.sidsalliance.org.
- The Baby Center Web site. Available at: http://www.babycenter.com.
- The Nemours Foundation Web site. Available at: http://www.kidshealth.org.