Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1. An autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death.
Crib death; SIDS
The cause of SIDS is unknown. Many doctors and researchers now believe that SIDS is caused by many factors, including:
SIDS rates have gone down sharply since doctors began recommending that babies be put on their backs or sides to sleep to reduce the chance of problem. However, SIDS is still a major cause of death in infants under 1 year old. Thousands of babies die of SIDS in the United States each year.
SIDS is most likely to occur between 2 and 4 months of age. SIDS affects boys more often than girls. Most SIDS deaths occur in the winter.
The following may increase the risk for SIDS:
While studies show that babies with the above risk factors are more likely to be affected, the impact or importance of each factor is not well-defined or understood.
Almost all SIDS deaths happen without any warning or symptoms. Death occurs when the infant is thought to be sleeping.
Several organizations offer resources and support services for people who have experienced the loss of a child from SIDS.
If your baby is not moving or breathing, begin CPR and call 911 or the local emergency number. Parents and caregivers of all infants and children should be trained in CPR.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the following:
Always put a baby to sleep on its back. (This includes naps.) Do NOT put a baby to sleep on its stomach. Also, a baby can roll onto the stomach from its side, so this position should be avoided.
Put babies on a firm surface (such as in the crib) to sleep. Never allow the baby to sleep in bed with other children or adults, and do NOT put them to sleep on other surfaces, such as a sofa.
Let babies sleep in the same room (NOT the same bed) as parents. If possible, babies' cribs should be placed in the parents' bedroom to allow for night-time feeding.
Avoid soft bedding materials. Babies should be placed on a firm, tight-fitting crib mattress without loose bedding. Use a light sheet to cover the baby. Do not use pillows, comforters, or quilts.
Make sure the room temperature is not too hot. The room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. A baby should not be hot to the touch.
Offer the baby a pacifier when going to sleep. Pacifiers at naptime and bedtime can reduce the risk for SIDS. Health care professionals think that a pacifier might allow the airway to open more, or prevent the baby from falling into a deep sleep. If the baby is breastfeeding, it is best to wait until 1 month before offering a pacifier, so that it doesn't interfere with breastfeeding.
Do not use breathing monitors or products marketed as ways to reduce SIDS. Research found that these devices do not help prevent SIDS.
Other recommendations from SIDS experts:
Fern Hauck is a Family Medicine doctor in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Hauck has been practicing medicine for over 45 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), Loiasis, Rhabdomyolysis, and Sepsis. Dr. Hauck is currently accepting new patients.
Rachel Moon is a Pediatrics doctor in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Moon and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). She is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Premature Infant. Dr. Moon is currently accepting new patients.
Michael Goodstein is a Neonatologist and a Pediatrics doctor in York, Pennsylvania. Dr. Goodstein and is rated as a Distinguished doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). He is also highly rated in 1 other condition, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Premature Infant.
Summary: In this study, multiple myeloma participants with secondary immunodeficiency (SID) will be treated with HyQvia according to their clinic's standard practice. The study's main aim is to look into infusion parameters of HyQvia administration.
Summary: Secondhand smoke exposure in the home can causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections in children. In addition to cigarette smoke, exposure to other tobacco products can further compromise the safety of children in the home. This study aims to reduce the burden of multiple tobacco exposures, improve access to preventive care, and reduce the disprop...
Published Date: August 10, 2021
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Das RR, Sankar MJ, Agarwal R. Bed sharing versus no bed sharing for healthy term neonates. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021;4(4):CD012866. PMID: 33831222 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33831222/.
Hauck FR, Carlin RF, Moon RY, Hunt CE. Sudden infant death syndrome. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 402.
Task Force On Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; Moon RY, Darnall RA, Feldman-Winter L, Goodstein MH, Hauck FR. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(5). pii: e20162938. PMID: 27940804 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27940804/.