SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year old. It is the leading cause of death in children between 1 month and 1 year of age. Although there is no sure way to prevent SIDS, parents and caregivers can reduce the risk for SIDS.
About SIDS SIDS is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation. This investigation can include an autopsy, a review of the death scene, and complete family and medical histories. 1
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that about 3,000 infants died from a sudden unexpected infant death, with more than 1 in 3 dying from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 2022 (the most recent year for which data are available).1
How many infants die from SIDS or are at risk for SIDS?
Health care providers and researchers don't know the exact cause, but there are many theories. More and more research evidence suggests that infants who die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are born with brain abnormalities or defects. These defects are typically found within a network of nerve cells that rely on a chemical called serotonin that allows one nerve cell to send a signal ...
What causes SIDS? | NICHD - NICHD - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National ...
Each year in the United States, thousands of babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. Some of these deaths result from unknown causes, such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), while others are from known causes, including other sleep-related causes of infant death.