Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS, is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under one year of age. No cause for the death can be found. Because many SIDS babies die in their cribs, this syndrome is often called crib death. But cribs are not the cause of SIDS.

What is going on in the body?

SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies between the ages of one month to one year. Most SIDS deaths occur between age 2 and 4 months. Most SIDS infants die silently, apparently in their sleep.

The good news is that, less than ten years ago, nearly twice as many babies were dying of SIDS in the US as are today. This decrease in SIDS is directly related to the campaign to educate parents to place infants on their backs - instead of sides or stomachs - to sleep.

Current research is focused on the "triple-risk model." This theory says that three things must happen at once for SIDS to occur:

This theory is still being tested, but evidence so far seems to strongly support it. Many studies are going on today, and experts hope to have more answers soon about what causes SIDS and who is at risk for it.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

While there are known risk factors for SIDS, none of these factors clearly points to a distinct cause for SIDS. Many of these factors are also risk factors for the sudden death of infants from other, known causes. Risk factors linked with a higher rate of SIDS include:

In addition, research has found risk factors in the mother that may lead to an increased incidence of SIDS. These factors include the following:

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

There are no warning symptoms of SIDS. Often infants have symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, or gastroenteritis in the days before their death. Most infants who die of SIDS appear healthy when put to bed.

How is the condition diagnosed?

The diagnosis of SIDS is by an autopsy that rules out other causes for an infant's death. To make the diagnosis of SIDS, the autopsy must be thorough and done by an expert in infant death. The diagnosis of SIDS is made if no other causes of death can be found and the autopsy findings suggest SIDS.

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Because the causes of SIDS are not known, it is hard to tell which specific babies may die of SIDS. So prevention is aimed at all babies and pregnant women.

THE most important action parents can take to prevent SIDS in their babies is to put them to sleep on their backs, whether at naptime or at night! Babies sleeping on their sides or stomachs are 2 to 9 times as likely to die of SIDS.

Babies who are exposed to smoke in the home have twice the risk of SIDS as babies who live in a smoke-free environment. Every effort should be made to provide a smoke-free environment, both before the baby is born, and in the home and any day care settings during the early months of life.

Other measures that can help prevent some cases of sudden infant death include the following.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother can take the following measures to help prevent SIDS:

Also, the following actions can help maintain the baby's health, in general:

Attempts to prevent SIDS through the use of heartbeat and breathing monitors in the home have not been found to be effective and are rarely used.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

SIDS often results in feelings of guilt, sadness, and anger in the parents and other family members.

What are the risks to others?

The risk to others involves the grieving process in those left behind.

What are the treatments for the condition?

There is no treatment for the infant because the diagnosis can be made only after death. Support groups or counseling may be advised for the parents.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

There is no treatment for SIDS and therefore no side effects.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

Parents of an infant who dies of SIDS often go through shock, grief, and guilt. They often feel that there is something they may have done to cause it or could have done to prevent it. Compassion from friends and family, as well as professionals, can help the parents to cope. Support and empathy are needed. Accusations should be avoided. While a small percentage of unexplained infant deaths are due to child abuse, these probably account for less than 5% of cases.

How is the condition monitored?

Any depression or suicidal thoughts in a parent should be reported to the doctor.

Author:John Wegmann, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:09/27/02
Reviewer:Kathleen A. MacNaughton, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:09/27/02