Childcare
What You Need To Know About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
10 min | Updated on 30-03-2023 by HappyPreggie
(Image credits to Raising Children Network)
Definition
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of a seemingly healthy baby under 1 year of age. The syndrome is sometimes called crib or cot death because it is commonly associated with sleep and occurs when a newborn sleeps in their crib or cot. Although there has been a thorough investigation involving an autopsy, a death scene investigation and a medical history review, the exact cause of SIDS is yet to be explained [1].
Globally, SIDS was responsible for 27 700 deaths in 2019. 2620 of these deaths occurred in babies aged 7–27 days, and 25 100 of these deaths occurred in babies aged 28–364 days [2].
The possibility of the syndrome affecting your baby can be very frightening. However, knowing more about it — and taking certain specific precautions — may help reduce your baby's risk of SIDS.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs. Infants who died of SIDS have been reported to be healthy and well before being put to sleep. Although SIDS during sleep is the most common, the deaths may still occur during the day. Past research has indicated no signs of struggle or suffering, and the babies are often found in the same position as when they were placed in bed [3].
When Is The Risk Of SIDS The Highest?
(Image credits to Medical News Today)
Most SIDS deaths occur within a baby’s first 6 months of life, and the rate peaks between 1 to 4 months. The risk of SIDS reduces after they reach 8 months old, but parents are advised to maintain the safe sleep practice until the baby is at least over a year old.