Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: MedlinePlus

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: MedlinePlus

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Also called: Crib death, SIDS 

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• Sudden infant death syndrome

Related Health Topics

• Bereavement

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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Myths and Facts about SIDS and Safe Infant Sleep

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Causes of Infant Death

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development -  - PDF
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

What Causes SIDS?

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Ways To Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Causes of Infant Death

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Common SIDS and SUID Terms and Definitions

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

What is SIDS?

12/08/2016 01:24 PM EST

Source: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - 
Related MedlinePlus Page: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Summary

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old. Some people call SIDS "crib death" because many babies who die of SIDS are found in their cribs.

SIDS is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year old. Most SIDS deaths occur when babies are between two months and four months old. Premature babies, boys, African Americans, and American Indian/Alaska Native infants have a higher risk of SIDS.

Although health care professionals don't know what causes SIDS, they do know ways to reduce the risk. These include

• Placing babies on their backs to sleep, even for short naps. "Tummy time" is for when babies are awake and someone is watching
• Using a firm sleep surface, such as a crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet
• Keeping soft objects and loose bedding away from sleep area
• Making sure babies don't get too hot. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature for an adult.
• Don't smoke during pregnancy or allow anyone to smoke near your baby

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Start Here

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Surviving the Sudden Death of a Baby (First Candle/SIDS Alliance)
• What is SIDS?  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Latest News

• Docs: Infants Should Share Parents' Room to Help Prevent SIDS (10/24/2016, HealthDay)

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Back to Sleep, Tummy to Play (American Academy of Pediatrics)Also in Spanish
• Safe Sleep for Your Baby: Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Causes of Infant Death  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) - PDF
• Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Reducing the Risk (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Ways To Reduce the Risk of SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Causes of Infant Death  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Related Issues

• Babies Need Tummy Time  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)Also in Spanish
• Infant Mortality (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Infant Sleep Positioners Pose Suffocation Risk (Food and Drug Administration)

Specifics

• Myths and Facts about SIDS and Safe Infant Sleep  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Vaccines (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• What Causes SIDS?  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
• What Does a Safe Sleep Environment Look Like?  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: hereditary hyperekplexia  (National Library of Medicine)
• Genetics Home Reference: sudden infant death with dysgenesis of the testes syndrome  (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sudden Infant Death  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Swaddling link to SIDS.
• Article: Risk of SIDS linked to swaddling, say researchers.
• Article: Inner ear may play part in SIDS, research shows.
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Common SIDS and SUID Terms and Definitions  (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Find an Expert

• National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Sudden infant death syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish