SIDS Introduction

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death for infants 1 to 12 months. SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant that cannot be explained. Risk Factors for SIDS from the CDC

• Tummy or side sleeping
• Soft sleep surfaces
• Loose bedding
• Overheating
• Smoking
• Bed sharing
• Preterm and low birth weight

SIDS Statistics from http://www.sleep-baby-sleep.com/

• SIDS is responsible for roughly 50 deaths per 100,000 births in the US.
  
• SIDS most commonly occurs between the ages of 1 and 4 months
• SIDS becomes the leading cause of death in otherwise healthy babies after one month of age.
• Sudden infant death rate is at an all time low. Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent.
• There are about 2,500 deaths per year in the United States, and thousands more throughout the world.

There is no available treatment for SIDS, only prevention.