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Sudden Infant Death

In: English and Literature

Submitted By inxhiang
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Sudden infant death syndrome

Crib death; SIDS
Last reviewed: August 2, 2011.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

The cause of SIDS is unknown. Many doctors and researchers now believe that SIDS is caused by several different factors, including:

Problems with the baby's ability to wake up (sleep arousal)

Inability for the baby's body to detect a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood

SIDS rates have dropped dramatically since 1992, when parents were first told to put babies to sleep on their backs or sides to reduce the likelihood of SIDS. Unfortunately, SIDS remains a significant cause of death in infants under one 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 have been linked to a baby's increased risk of SIDS:

Sleeping on the stomach

Being around cigarette smoke while in the womb or after being born

Sleeping in the same bed as their parents (co-sleeping)

Soft bedding in the crib

Multiple birth babies (being a twin, triplet, etc.)

Premature birth

Having a brother or sister who had SIDS

Mothers who smoke or use illegal drugs

Being born to a teen mother

Short time period between pregnancies

Late or no prenatal care

Living in poverty situations

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.

Symptoms

Almost all SIDS deaths occur without any warning or symptoms when the infant is thought to be sleeping.

Signs and tests

Autopsy results are not able

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