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For Providers > Health
What is SIDS? SIDS is the diagnosis given for the sudden death of an infant under one year of age for which there is no other cause determined. Because most cases of SIDS occur when a baby is sleeping in a crib, SIDS is commonly known as "crib death." Even though SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age, SIDS is a rare event. Only 1.22 of 1000 infants die of SIDS per year. What causes SIDS? No one knows the exact cause of SIDS, but there are many theories. Some medical evidence suggests that some SIDS babies are born with brain abnormalities that make them more vulnerable to death during infancy. Such brain abnormalities may be due to a prenatal exposure to a toxic substance or lack of sufficient oxygen. The risk of SIDS may be increased by events occurring after birth, such as lack of oxygen, exposure to high levels of carbon dioxide, or overheating. Infants can have periods of absent breathing for up to twenty seconds, which is normal. They should not turn blue, however, during this period. What does not cause SIDS?
What are the risk factors?
How can I lower the risk of SIDS? There is currently no way of predicting which newborns will be SIDS victims. There are a few measures providers can take, however, to lower the risk of a child dying from SIDS.
Warning Signs -- Call a physician immediately if:
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