Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS, also known as cot death and crib death), is the term for the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant aged one month to one year. SIDS is a definition of exclusion and only applies to an infant whose death remains unexplained after the performance of an adequate postmortem investigation including (1) an autopsy, (2) investigation of the scene and circumstances of the death and (3) exploration of the medical history of the infant and family. Generally, but not always, the infant is found dead after having been put to sleep and exhibits no signs of having suffered. The inexplicable nature of the syndrome often leaves parents with a deep sense of guilt in addition to their grief.

Very little is known about the possible causes of SIDS. Although there is no known way to prevent it, research has provided several risk factors which are related to an increased incidence of the syndrome. These include:

Prenatal Risks

inadequate prenatal care
inadequate prenatal nutrition
tobacco smoking
use of cocaine or heroin
teenage pregnancy
less than a one year interval between subsequent births

Post-natal Risks

low birth weight (especially less than 1.6 kg / 3.5 lbs)
exposure to tobacco smoke
laying an infant to sleep on his or her stomach (see positional plagiocephaly)
failure to breastfeed
excess clothing and overheating
excess bedding, soft sleep surface and stuffed animals
gender (60% of deaths occur in males)
age (incidence is higher between 2-4 months)

In addition, research indicates a reduced risk of SIDS in conjunction with a safe co-sleeping arrangement. Though findings are still preliminary, the proximity of a parent's respiration is thought to stimulate proper respiratory development in the infant.

External Links

SIDS International

Commercial Usage: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Domain	Title
References	The 2002 Official Parent's Sourcebook on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (reference) (more reference examples)

Books	Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (reference) (more book examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Photo Album: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Non-Fiction Usage: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Subject	Topic	Quote
Health		ETS exposure has been linked also with sudden infant death syndrome. (references)
		In addition, sleep apnea is sometimes implicated in sudden infant death syndrome. (references)
		All sudden death in infants, not only sudden infant death syndrome, should receive high priority in future research initiatives. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Expression: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Frequency of Internet Keywords: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Modern Translation: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Language		Translations for "sudden infant death syndrome"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
Danish		vuggedød (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)

Dutch		sudden-infant-death-syndroom (cot death, crib death, SIDS), wiegedood (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)

French		syndrome de mort subite du nourrisson, MSIN, mort subreptice du nourrisson, mort subite inexpliquée du nourrisson, mort subite imprévue du nourrisson, mort soudaine du nourrisson, mort du berceau. (various references)

German		plötzlicher Säuglingstod (cot death, crib death, SIDS), Krippentod (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)

Italian		morte nella culla (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)

Pig Latin		uddensay infantay eathday yndromesay

Portuguese		sindrome da morte súbita do recém-nascido (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)

Spanish		muerte súbita del lactante(sindrome de-) (cot death, crib death, SIDS). (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.

Thumbnail	Description & Credit
	When A Baby Dies The Community Cries : Sudden Infant Death Syndrome cannot be prevented or predicted!. Credit: National Library of Medicine.
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits.

Expression	Frequency per Day
sudden infant death syndrome	170
sudden infant death syndrome sids	3
information on sudden infant death syndrome	2
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Definition: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome