Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year old. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep, which is why it's sometimes still called "crib death. A lack of answers is part of what makes SIDS so frightening. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and remains unpredictable despite years of research.
Even so, the risk of SIDS can be greatly reduced. Most important: babies younger than 1 year old should be placed on their backs to sleep — never facedown on their stomachs or on their sides. Sleeping on the stomach or side increases the risk for SIDS.
When considering which babies could be most at risk, no single thing is likely to cause a SIDS death. Rather, several risk factors might combine to cause an at-risk infant to die of SIDS. Most SIDS deaths happen in babies 2 to 4 months old, and cases rise during cold weather. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS. Doctors diagnose most health problems based on the symptoms they cause.
But most SIDS diagnoses come only after all other possible causes of death have been ruled out. This review helps tell true SIDS deaths from those due to accidents, abuse, and previously undiagnosed conditions, such as cardiac or metabolic disorders. SIDS is more likely among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs.
Babies also should not be placed on their sides to sleep. A baby can easily roll from a side position onto the belly during sleep. Some researchers believe that stomach sleeping may block the airway and hurt breathing.
Stomach sleeping can increase "rebreathing" — when a baby breathes in his or her own exhaled air — particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. As the baby rebreathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and the level of carbon dioxide rises. Infants who die from SIDS may have a problem with the part of the brain that helps control breathing and waking during sleep.
If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry to get more oxygen. If the brain is not picking up this signal, oxygen levels will continue to fall. It happens most often between 2 and 4 months old.
SIDS and other types of sleep-related infant deaths have similar risk factors. Researchers don't know the exact cause of SIDS. Studies have shown that some babies who die from SIDS have the following:.
Problems with brain functioning. Some babies have problems with the part of the brain that helps control breathing and waking during sleep. Babies born with problems in other parts of the brain or body may also be more likely to die from SIDS. Differences in genes. Some genes and the environment may work together to increase the risk for SIDS. Problems with heart functioning. Some studies found a link between heart function and SIDS. Some babies who die from SIDS have respiratory infections before death.
SIDS happens more often during the colder months, when respiratory illnesses are more common. Most babies who die from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths have one or more risk factors. Some risk factors can be prevented. There are many risk factors for SIDS. They may include the following:. The diagnosis of SIDS is made when the cause of death is unexplained after a full investigation. An investigation includes:. There is no way to tell which babies will die from SIDS. But known risk factors for SIDS and other sleep-related deaths can be controlled by:.
Getting prenatal care. Early and regular prenatal care can help reduce the risk for SIDS. You should also follow a healthy diet and not smoke or use drugs or alcohol while you are pregnant. These things may reduce the chance of having a premature or low-birth-weight baby. Premature or low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk for SIDS.
Putting babies on their back for sleep and naps. Babies should be placed on their back for all sleeping until they are 1 year old. Don't lay your baby down on his or her side or belly for sleep or naps. Have your baby sleep in in your room. Ideally, your baby should sleep in your room with you, but alone in a crib, bassinet or other structure designed for infant sleep, for at least six months, and, if possible, up to a year.
Adult beds aren't safe for infants. A baby can become trapped and suffocate between the headboard slats, the space between the mattress and the bed frame, or the space between the mattress and the wall. A baby can also suffocate if a sleeping parent accidentally rolls over and covers the baby's nose and mouth. Offer a pacifier. Sucking on a pacifier without a strap or string at naptime and bedtime might reduce the risk of SIDS.
One caveat — if you're breast-feeding, wait to offer a pacifier until your baby is 3 to 4 weeks old and you've settled into a nursing routine. If your baby's not interested in the pacifier, don't force it. Try again another day. If the pacifier falls out of your baby's mouth while he or she is sleeping, don't pop it back in.
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