SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under 1 year of age. SIDS is sometimes called crib death because the death occurs when a baby is sleeping in a crib. It is one of the leading causes of death in babies from 1 month to 1 year of age, occurring most often between 2 and 4 months of age. The death is sudden and unpredictable; in most cases, the baby seems healthy. Death occurs quickly, usually during a sleep time. Show Over 4,500 babies in the United States die of SIDS each year. Some babies are more at risk than others. For example, SIDS is more likely when a baby is between 2 and 4 months old; it is more common in boys than girls; and most deaths occur during the fall, winter, and early spring months. Factors that may place a baby at higher risk of dying from SIDS include the following:
The exact causes of SIDS are still unclear and research is ongoing. There are some factors which make babies higher risk for SIDS. Some risk factors are preventable, but others are not. Evidence has shown that some babies who die from SIDS have the following:
Do vaccines cause SIDS?No; vaccines have not been shown to cause SIDS. Learn more about the concerns and studies related to vaccines and SIDS from the Vaccine Education Center at CHOP. The diagnosis of SIDS is given when the cause of death remains unexplained after a complete investigation, which includes the following:
There currently is no way of predicting which babies will die from SIDS. However, there are a few measures parents can take to lower the risk of their baby dying from SIDS, including the following:
A SIDS death is a tragedy that affects family members and others as well. Many support groups are available that are experienced in helping families cope with a loss and work through their emotions associated with grieving. Consult your healthcare provider for recommended support groups in your community. Which of the following infants is least likely to develop sudden infant death syndrome?Option D: Infants who sleep on their back are least likely to develop SIDS.
Where is SIDS least common?"SIDS rates are lowest among Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander infants." SIDS is also slightly more common in males than females. There are also other risk factors, such as a 2000 study that found a higher rate (15-20% of all SIDS cases) occurring in day care settings.
What age is SIDS less likely?Although SIDS can occur at any age before 12 months, it is most common when an infant is between 1–4 months old. SIDS is less common after an infant is 8 months old, but a person should still take precautions to reduce the risk. Researchers believe SIDS may be the result of several overlapping factors.
Which baby is most at risk of dying from SIDS?Most deaths happen during the first 6 months of a baby's life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk. SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys. SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they're awake.
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