Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The Mahalo Top 7

American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Institute: SIDS Home Page
MedlinePlus: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD): Sudden SIDS
National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center (NSIDRC): SIDS
First Candle: SIDS Alliance - Working to Stop SIDS & Stillbirth
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
MayoClinic.com: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

SIDS News

Google News: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
New York Times: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome News
ScienceDaily: Researchers Link Two More Genes To Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (2006)
MSNBC.com: Brain Anomaly Linked to SIDS (2006)

SIDS Facts

First Candle: SIDS Questions and Answers
KidsHealth: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
NICHD: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
NSIDRC: What Is SIDS?
American Lung Association: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Fact Sheet

SIDS Causes

MayoClinic.com: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Causes

SIDS Prevention

American SIDS Institute: Reducing the Risk of SIDS
eMedicineHealth: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Prevention
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Reduce the Risk of SIDS

SIDS Research and Journal Articles

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Search: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
NICHD: Research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (2006)
AAP Policy: The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome... (2005)
AAP: Distinguishing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome From Child Abuse Fatalities (2001)
International Journal of Epidemiology: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and the Time of Death... (2006)

SIDS Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Sudden Infant Death Clinical Trials

SIDS Support Groups

First Candle: Coping With SIDS
eMedicineHealth: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Support Groups & Counseling
Sudden Infant Death Network: SIDS Grief Support

SIDS Discussion and Blogs

HealthBoards: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Message Boards

Related Searches

Infant Mortality | Dehydration | Vaccines | Cribs | Crib Recall

Guide Note

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of death of infants older than one month and younger than one year old. SIDS occurs most often between two and four months of age.¹

Fast Facts

Also called: Crib death
Unknown cause
Using a pacifier while sleeping may lower risk by 90%²
Rates have declined since early 1990s³
Approximately 2,000 SIDS deaths each year³
Babies of smoking mothers have increased risk⁴
More common in males⁴
More common premature infants⁴

Prevention

Pediatricians encourage letting babies always sleep on their backs rather than their sides or stomachs. They suggest keeping the crib free from soft blankets or toys and using a firm sleeping surface with a tight fitting sheet. Keeping the baby's room from getting too hot is also encouraged.¹

Disclaimer

This page is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about sudden infant death syndrome, please consult your doctor.

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