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Oct

21

What is SIDS?

Filed Under SIDS Resources 

SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.  It is the sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained.  SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age, with most deaths occuring when a baby is between two and four months of age.  The Back to Sleep Compaign was launched in 1994 which contributed to SIDS rates declining by 50%.  However, SIDS still claims the lives of over 2000 infants each year.  SIDS is more common in male babies, 60% where 40% of SIDS deaths happen to female babies.

At this time there is no known way to prevent SIDS in all cases, but there are steps parents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. Modifiable risk factors for SIDS include:

  • Stomach and side sleep positions
  • Soft or loose bedding
  • Inappropriate sleep environments
  • Bed sharing
  • Overheating
  • Secondhand smoke
  • Maternal alcohol and illegal drug use

Non-modifiable risk factors include:

  • Male gender
  • Age distribution: 2 to 6 months
  • Low birth weight
  • Prematurity
  • Maternal smoking during pregnancy
  • Young maternal age especially mothers less than 18 years old
  • Late or no prenatal care
  • Fall/winter season
  • Higher parity

Thanks to First Candle for this information.  Please see their website for more facts on SIDS at www.firstcandle.org.

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