What exactly causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

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my baby neice just died from it and i want to no what causes it
In Canada, its now referred to Sudden Unexplained Death Syndrome (SUDS). This is a last resort diagnosis when everything else from genetic issues, to illness to abuse is ruled out. It usually takes months for a coroner to make this diagnosis. There are many factors that have been linked to this. Some include: having the baby sleep in any position other that his/her back, having the child sleep in the same bed as its parents, overheating of the child, not sufficient air flow in the crib by having too many linens or bumper pads, being a male child etc.   (+ info)

What are some causes of sudden infant death syndrome?

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_infant_death_syndrome  (+ info)

How to prevent sudden infant death syndrome ?

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parents quit smoking  (+ info)

Can anyone tell me anything they know about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

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Lately I have heard of 2 people I know, their babies recently died of SIDS, and I have a 6 week old. Is it really common? Is there any ways to prevent it? Just scared it might happen.
About 1 baby in 1000 dies of SIDS, so, no, it is not very common. You are very unusual in knowing 2 families who lost a baby to SIDS. The highest risk period for SIDS is 2-4 months old, and the risk drops further at 6 months. SIDS is no longer a cause of death after the first birthday.

There is no way to prevent SIDS, but you can reduce the risk. The thing you can do that will cut your risk the most is to breastfeed *exclusively* (no bottles, pacifiers, solid foods, etc.) for at least 6 months, and continue nursing until baby's first birthday. This is usually not mentioned by doctors who don't want mothers to "feel guilty" although it is the single most important factor in reducing the SIDS risk.

Do not smoke. Do not allow anyone who smokes near the baby. If this will not work, insist that they change all their clothes (down to the underwear) and shower before entering your house.

Put baby to sleep on her/his back *only* and preferably in your bed with you (see sources section below). Be careful to keep baby slightly cool; overheating is also a risk factor for SIDS.

Do not encourage your baby to sleep through the night. Sleeping too long and too deeply causes SIDS.

No pacifier. Recent research showed that a baby who normally uses a pacifier is more likely to die of SIDS on a night when she/he doesn't have one. This has been widely misinterpreted to mean that a baby should *always* have one!! But since *every* parent has at least occasionally found that they broke or lost the last pacifier in the house right before bedtime, it is safer to *never* give one!  (+ info)

How common is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

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My friend's nephew died of SIDS when he was 2 months old and I'm just wondering how common it is. Thanks
about 1/1000 -- very uncommon. I'm sorry for your friend's loss.

these stats are from 1998, so they're from 10 years ago. I'm sure that in the last 10 years the rate of death is even lower:

SIDS occurs in one to two of every 1000 live births
SIDS claims the lives of almost 3000 infants in the United States each year
Approximately 9 infants die each day of SIDS
80% die before 5 months of age
90% die before 6 months of age
98% die before 12 months of age
Most SIDS victims die by the age of 4 months, with the majority falling between two and four months of age.
No product, regardless of it's claim, can prevent SIDS. Some products available on the market may help reduce the risks according to certain theories on SIDS, but no product will prevent every death currently labeled SIDS.
Black babies are about two and a half times more susceptible to SIDS than White babies, and Native infants are about three times more susceptible. The incidence of SIDS is lowest among Hispanic and Asian infants. However it is important to note that SIDS occurs in families of all races.
More male babies die of SIDS than female babies.
Since 1992 when the American Academy of Pediatrics began a nationwide campaign recommending that parents put babies to sleep on their backs instead of their stomachs, the number of infants dying from SIDS has dropped 38%.
As many as two-thirds of all SIDS victims had no known risk factors.
SIDS is the second most common cause of death for infants less than one year of age, the first being congenital anomalies and short gestation/low birth weight as the leading overall cause of death for all infants under the age of one. Most deaths due to congenital anomalies and other causes occur during the first week of life, leaving SIDS as the most common cause of death during the post-perinatal period, between one month and one year of age, accounting for 35% of post-perinatal deaths.
Statistically, there is no data indicating any harm in placing an infant to sleep on his or her back or side, and even the risk of SIDS for an infant placed on his or her stomach is still extremely low, but this is due to the risk of SIDS in general being low in the first place. However, back sleeping has caused a decline in the number of SIDS deaths, and is the choice of pediatricians for lowering the risk of SIDS even further than any risk the child has initially. The recommendation was given beginning in 1992, and is believed to prevent rebreathing of exhaled, carbon dioxide-rich air trapped in underlying bedding. It's also thought to help prevent a baby from overheating.
Constant worrying about the possibility of SIDS and constant checking on the baby will not safeguard a baby from SIDS, although it does provide some comfort, even though it is exhausting for the parents. The first few months are a time best spent by loving and watching your child grow and develop. Although SIDS is a terrifying and horrible experience to go through, it must be recognized that SIDS is not a very common occurrence, and that if viewed in a different light, of every 1000 babies born, 998 will not become SIDS victims.
The incidence of SIDS is 1.4 deaths per 1000 live births.
In Europe and North America, the January SIDS rate is double the incidence during the summer months. The majority of the deaths occur during the winter months (October to April in the Northern Hemisphere).  (+ info)

what are the reasons of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

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I have a 7 week old son and afraid about this syndrome. Tell me more about this and how to prevent this syndrome. Thanks!
- Put your baby to sleep on his back.
- Take care of yourself and your unborn baby while you're pregnant.
- Don't allow smoking around your baby.
- Put your baby to sleep on a firm, flat mattress with no pillow and nothing but a fitted sheet under him. Don't put stuffed toys or other soft materials in your baby's crib, either.
- Avoid overheating your baby.
- Improve the ventilation in your baby's room.
- Try to limit exposure to infection.
- Breastfeeding will help reduce your baby's likelihood of getting of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, which often occur along with SIDS.
- Some experts believe that bed-sharing (also called co-sleeping) might allow a mother to respond more quickly to changes in her baby's breathing and movements.
- Some researchers suggest that swaddling — the practice of wrapping a baby securely in a blanket or cloth — may help prevent SIDS because it can help a baby sleep more comfortably on his back.
- Studies show a lower incidence of SIDS among infants who use pacifiers, although experts don't know whether there's a direct cause and effect.
- Some companies offer mattresses with a built-in ventilation system that supposedly prevents the buildup of carbon dioxide. These mattresses may keep more fresh air circulating around your baby, but there's no evidence that they lower the risk of SIDS.

babycenter.com  (+ info)

Has anyone had an infant who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

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My 4 mo. old son passed away a few days ago and I am just in so much sorrow and pain right now. Has anyone or do you know someone who went through this. Please pray for me...
i am so sorry i had a friend whos daughter passed away from sid she was perfectly fine and she was also 4 months and she just didnt wake up one morning i am so sorry for youre loss and i know that nothing i say or do can take the pain away but u will be in my thoughts and prayers  (+ info)

Question about Sudden infant death syndrome?

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I keep getting different answer's whenever I try to pull it up.. does anyone know the average age when you no longer have to " worry " about sid's.. haha i know weird question,.. just I have been driving myself INSANE with it. and just wondering when it is no longer a risk.
The peak of cases occur between two and four months, though it can occur anytime in infancy (defined as 0 - 24 months). It's important in any discussion of SIDS to recognize that SIDS likely isn't one specific 'syndrome' as the name suggests, but rather is a catch-all cause of death given when the cause of death can't be determined. There are plenty of possible causes for sudden, unexplained infant death, and certainly practicing some of the preventative techniques suggested by research should help you to worry a little less. The Wikipedia article is accurate without being overly emotional or full of stories that will make you cry or keep you up at night worrying more.

There's never a good age to stop worrying about your kids. We hear a lot about SIDS, but not SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Children). They can fall ill at any time. Some diseases work fast, some not so much, from sudden cardiac death to cancer. Accidents can occur at any time. I say that not to scare you even more, but to tell you that there will always be something else to fixate on. The trick to getting through is to remember that the vast majority of kids are fine, and to accept that no amount of worrying will change what is meant to be.  (+ info)

How to Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

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there is no way, because, nobody knows what causes it. A perfectly healthy baby can die a few months later, and no one will know the cause  (+ info)

What are the short-term and long-term implications of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?

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I would just suggest that you may want to look at the short and long-term consequences of SIDS prevention "Back to Sleep" campaign too. Here is a quote from an article I've read:

“In its fundamental purpose it has been largely successful. The incidence of SIDS has been reduced dramatically. However, as many orthotists can attest, this important gain has not been without its lesser comorbidities. The one we tend to think of has been the rapid increase in the incidence of positional plagiocephaly and positional brachycephaly.2-4 However, there have been whispers and rumors of other effects. The purpose of this article is to review some of the other unintended results of the "Back to Sleep" effort.”
The Flip Side of Back To Sleep by Stevens

I think SIDS is a tragedy so if you're talking about the long-term consequences I guess that means grief counseling. In tems of the short-term consequences of SIDS if you mean what causes it no one really knows. From what I've read it seems likely it's genetic.  (+ info)

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