Definition |
Causes |
Risk Factors |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Prevention
Definition
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) refers to the unexpected, unexplained death of a child less than one year old. SIDS is rare during the first month of life. It peaks at 2 to 4 months of age, then gradually decreases.
Causes
Experts do not know the exact cause of SIDS. Many theories exist. Potential causes include:
- Abnormalities in a section of the brain that controls breathing during sleep and waking
- Abnormalities in the control of heart rhythm
- Changes in how serotonin, a neurotransmitter, functions in the brain
- Changes in some components of the immune system
- Inadequate arousal response to breathing obstruction or asphyxia—a lack of oxygen or excess carbon dioxide in the body caused by interruption of breathing; may cause unconsciousness
Risk Factors
Risk
factors that increase the chance of SIDS include:
- Infant's age: less than 6 months old
- Low birth weight
- Delayed fetal growth
- History of SIDS death in a sibling
- History of an acute life-threatening event
- Previous incident of unexplained severe apnea—when breathing is repeatedly interrupted and requires resuscitation
- Sleeping on the stomach or side rather than back
-
Other risk factors are more general and include:
- Smoking
during pregnancy or in a house where the baby is sleeping
- Alcohol, excessive caffeine, opiate, or
cocaine
use during pregnancy
- Mother's age: younger than 20 during first pregnancy
- Poverty
- Black, Native American, and Alaskan Native families
- Sex: male
-
History of
anemia
or a
urinary tract infection
while pregnant
- No or late prenatal care
- Premature birth
- Recent infection and/or fever
- Cold weather in late fall or winter
- Overheating
- Low socioeconomic status or low level of education
- Co-sleeping in parents room
- Loose covers and blankets
Symptoms
A baby that dies of SIDS typically appears healthy. The baby may have had a
cold
or gastrointestinal infection in the two weeks prior to death. There usually are no warning signs that a baby is about to have SIDS.
Diagnosis
All possible illnesses and causes of death must be ruled out before a diagnosis of SIDS is made. A complete investigation will take place including:
- Autopsy
- Assessment of the death scene
- Review of the baby and family's medical histories
Treatment
Emergency medical personnel should be called as soon as the infant is discovered not breathing. Infant CPR should be started right away. Seek medical care right away even if the baby starts breathing again. The cause of the incident should be fully evaluated. Families may need grief counseling after the death. Some parents find
support groups
helpful.
Prevention
There is no way to predict which infants will die of SIDS. Several actions may help you lower your child's risk of SIDS:
American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Task Force. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk.
Pediatrics. 2005;116:1245-1255.
Galland BC, et al. Prone versus supine sleep position: a review of the physiological studies in SIDS research.
J Paediatr Child Health. 2002;38:332-338.
Hay WW.
Current Consult Pediatrics. 17th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2005.
Hunt CE, Hauck FR. Sudden infant death syndrome.
CMAJ. 2006;174:1861-1869.
Kleigman RM, Jensen HB, Behrman RE, Stanton BF, eds.
Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics.
18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed. Updated February 11, 2013. Accessed February 18, 2013.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Nemours KidsHealth.org website. Available at:
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sids.html. Updated October 2011. Accessed February 18, 2013.
10/23/2009 DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.dynamicmedical.com/what.php: Blair P, Sidebotham P, Evason-Coombe C, Edmonds, M, Heckstall-Smith, Fleming P. Hazardous cosleeping environments and risk factors amenable to change: case-control study of SIDS in south west England.
BMJ. 2009;339:b3666.
11/14/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: expansion of recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment.
Pediatrics.
2011;128(5):1030-1039.
Last reviewed March 2013 by Michael Woods, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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