What is SIDS?
Q: What is SIDS?
A: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected death of a human baby which is unexplained even after an autopsy and investigation. It is sometimes referred to as cot death or crib death, and applies to cases where the baby is less than one year old.
Q: Who are most affected by SIDS?
A: Male infants die more often than female infants; about 60% of the cases are male infants. Infants also die more often during winter months.
Q: What causes SIDS?
A: The exact cause of SIDS is unknown, but there are different theories such as problems with blood flow to the brain, problems with levels of serotonin, effects of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism), toxic gases, etc.
Q: Does vaccination increase risk for SIDS?
A: No, vaccinations do not increase the risk of SIDS and may reduce it slightly.
Q: Are caretakers falsely accused in cases of SIDS?
A: Yes, caretakers of infants with SIDS are sometimes falsely accused due to lack of evidence. Accidental suffocations can also be misdiagnosed as SIDS or vice versa.
Q: Is grief support important for families affected by SIDs?
A: Yes, grief support for families affected by SIDs is particularly important because these deaths typically occur suddenly without witnesses and require an investigation.
Q: How does SUID relate to SIDs?
A: A broader term “sudden and unexpected infant death” (SUID) is used to describe all such deaths regardless of cause; 80%of SUID deaths are classified as being caused by SIPS
