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Medical Author:

Patrick L. Carolan, MD

Medical Editor:

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

David Perlstein, MD, MBA, FAAP

Dr. Perlstein received his Medical Degree from the University of Cincinnati and then completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at The New York Hospital, Cornell medical Center in New York City. After serving an additional year as Chief Pediatric Resident, he worked as a private practitioner and then was appointed Director of Ambulatory Pediatrics at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

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In this Article

• What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
• What is the cause of SIDS?
• What are the risk factors for SIDS?
• How is SIDS diagnosed?
• Can SIDS be prevented?
• Does the supine (back) sleep position cause any problems for infants?
• What support is available to parents who are coping with an infant loss due to SIDS?
• Where can people get more information about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) At A Glance
• SIDS Index

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome," The National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)," U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

American Academy of Pediatrics

• Sudden infant death syndrome is defined as the sudden, unexpected death of an infant younger than 1 year of age.
• It typically occurs associated with a period of sleep.
• SIDS is rare during the first month of life. Risk peaks in infants 2-4 months of age and then declines.
• SIDS is diagnosed once all recognizable causes of infant death have been ruled out, including infection, trauma, or a condition related to the heart, lungs, or central nervous system.
• SIDS risk can be reduced by following the guidelines of the "Back to Sleep" campaign, including placing an infant to sleep on his/her back and avoiding objects within the sleep space that may interfere with normal breathing.

REFERENCE:

Carolan, Patrick. "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome." eMedicine.com. Oct. 1, 2009. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1004238-overview>.