From the Sids Network:
What Is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the "sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history"(Willinger, et al., 1991).
What Are the Most Common Characteristics of SIDS?
Most researchers now believe that babies who die of SIDS are born with one or more conditions that make them especially vulnerable to stresses that occur in the normal life of an infant, including both internal and external influences. SIDS occurs in all types of families and is largely indifferent to race or socioeconomic level. SIDS is unexpected, usually occurring in otherwise apparently healthy infants from 1 month to 1 year of age. Most deaths from SIDS occur by the end of the sixth month, with the greatest number taking place between 2 and 4 months of age. A SIDS death occurs quickly and is often associated with sleep, with no signs of suffering, . More deaths are reported in the fall and winter (in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres) and there is a 60- to 40-percent male-to-female ratio. A death is diagnosed as SIDSonly after all other alternatives have been eliminated: SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion.
What SIDS Is and What SIDS Is Not SIDS Is:
the major cause of death in infants from 1 month to 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months
sudden and silent--the infant was seemingly healthy
currently, unpredictable and unpreventable
a death that occurs quickly, often associated with sleep and with no signs of suffering
determined only after an autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history
designated as a diagnosis of exclusion
a recognized medical disorder listed in the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9)
an infant death that leaves unanswered questions, causing intense grief for parents and families
SIDS Is Not:
caused by vomiting and choking, or minor illnesses such as colds or infections
caused by the diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus (DPT) vaccines, or other immunizations
contagious
child abuse
the cause of every unexpected infant death
WHAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT SIDS:
In most all cases, the babies whom die of this syndrome do not appear to have struggled or suffered in any way.
Most occurrences happen within the winter months with January being the most likely time for an infant to
fall victim to SIDS.
BABY CENTER SAYS
Night isn't the only time that SIDS strikes, however. If your infant is in daycare, it's important to know that about 20 percent of SIDS deaths happen in childcare settings, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics in 2000.
This is a surprisingly high number when you consider that babies spend much less time sleeping at daycare than they do at home.
GOOGLE HEALTH SAYS
The following have been linked to an increased risk of SIDS:
• Babies who sleep on their stomachs
• Babies who are around cigarette smoke while in the womb or after being born
• Babies who sleep in the same bed as their parents
• Babies who have soft bedding in the crib
• Multiple birth babies (being a twin, triplet, etc.)
• Premature babies
• Babies who have a brother or sister who had SIDS
• Mothers who smoke or use illegal drugs
• Teen mothers
• Short time period between pregnancies
• Late or no prenatal care
• Situations of poverty
To learn more about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome visit this website: http://www.sids-network.org/sidsfact.htm
