Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age one in which the cause cannot be determined. It is the number one cause of infant fatalities for infants from one month to one year of age. Its primary causes have not been determined even though there are many theories and studies. Recently many researchers believe that SIDS is due to multiple unrelated factors and medical conditions.

Epidemiologic Characteristics

The following lists some of the major findings discovered:

1. SIDS risk is highest when the baby is sleeping.
2. Prone sleeping position (on the stomach) significantly increases the SIDS risk.
3. SIDS risk is highest for infant between 1 to 6 months old.
4. SIDS risk is low for infant under 1 month old.
5. No evidence of cause of death is found at forensic autopsy.
6. Winter has a higher risk than summer.
7. Male has a higher risk than female.
8. SIDS risk increases with live birth order.
9. Smoking by parents increases SIDS risk.

Prevention

Since the exact causes of SIDS have not been determined, there are several recommendations based on the above findings. The recommendations focuses on the sleeping position, sleeping environment, and cigarette smoke exposure.

Sleeping position. Place the baby to sleep on the back. This is the most significant recommendation. Since this was announced in 1992, the US SIDS rate has decreased by 40%.

Sleeping environment. The sleeping environment should be comfortable, well ventilated, and safe as the baby may not be able to move away from dangerous situations. The room temperature should be kept at a comfortable level. There should not be anything that may interfere with the baby's breathing even if the baby may turn or move by accident. The following should be avoided:

• Excessive clothing or blankets result in overheating.
• Anything that may increase the risk of suffocating the baby, including thick blanket, soft bedding, water bed, soft mattress or pillow.
• Sleep in the same bed with the baby.
• Cover the infant's head.

Cigarette smoke exposure. The mother should stop smoking during pregnancy and the baby should be in a smoke-free environment.

Breast feeding. Breast feeding has shown to decrease the risk of SIDS.

Baby sleep monitors

The need of baby sleep monitors for healthy babies has not been established; however this has not stopped many parents from getting one for their peace of mind. There are 4 types of monitors - biometric, movement, video and audio. See Baby Sleep Monitors for more details.

References

• Sudden infant death syndrome
• Sudden infant death syndrome