Why sids happen

Some studies found a link between heart function and SIDS. Some babies who die from SIDS have respiratory infections before death. SIDS happens more often during the colder months, when respiratory illnesses are more common.

Most babies who die from SIDS and other sleep-related deaths have one or more risk factors. Some risk factors can be prevented. There are many risk factors for SIDS. They may include the following:.

The diagnosis of SIDS is made when the cause of death is unexplained after a full investigation. An investigation includes:. There is no way to tell which babies will die from SIDS. But known risk factors for SIDS and other sleep-related deaths can be controlled by:. Getting prenatal care. Early and regular prenatal care can help reduce the risk for SIDS.

You should also follow a healthy diet and not smoke or use drugs or alcohol while you are pregnant. These things may reduce the chance of having a premature or low-birth-weight baby. Premature or low-birth-weight babies are at higher risk for SIDS. Putting babies on their back for sleep and naps. Babies should be placed on their back for all sleeping until they are 1 year old.

Don't lay your baby down on his or her side or belly for sleep or naps. Putting babies in other positions while they are awake. Putting your baby in other positions helps your baby grow stronger. It also helps prevent your baby from having a misshaped head. Overview Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Accessed May 5, Corwin MJ. Sudden infant death syndrome: Risk factors and risk reduction strategies.

SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths: Updated recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment. Kliegman RM, et al. Sudden infant death syndrome.

In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Infants who die from SIDS may have a problem with the part of the brain that helps control breathing and waking during sleep. If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry to get more oxygen. If the brain is not picking up this signal, oxygen levels will continue to fall. In response to evidence that stomach sleeping might contribute to SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP created its "Back to Sleep" campaign, which recommended that all healthy infants younger than 1 year of age be placed on their backs to sleep.

Babies should be placed on their backs until 12 months of age. Older infants may not stay on their backs all night long, and that's OK. Once babies consistently roll over from front to back and back to front, it's fine for them to be in the sleep position they choose. There's no need to use positioners, wedges, and other devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.

Some parents might worry about " flat head syndrome " positional plagiocephaly. This is when babies develop a flat spot on the back of their heads from spending too much time lying on their backs. Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign, this has become more common — but is easily treatable by changing a baby's position in the crib and allowing for more supervised "tummy time" while he or she is awake. Many parents fear that babies put to sleep on their backs could choke on spit-up or vomit.

However, only babies with certain uncommon upper airway malformations may need to sleep on their stomachs. There's no increased risk of choking for healthy infants and most infants with gastroesophageal reflux GER who sleep on their backs. Parents should talk to their child's doctor if they have questions about the best sleeping position for their baby.

Still, SIDS remains the leading cause of death in young infants. The "Safe to Sleep" campaign builds on "Back to Sleep," reminding parents and caregivers to put infants to sleep on their backs and provide a safe sleep environment. Back to Health A to Z. Sudden infant death syndrome SIDS — sometimes known as "cot death" — is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby.

In the UK, around babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year. This statistic may sound alarming, but SIDS is rare and the risk of your baby dying from it is low. Most deaths happen during the first 6 months of a baby's life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birthweight are at greater risk.

SIDS also tends to be slightly more common in baby boys. SIDS usually occurs when a baby is asleep, although it can occasionally happen while they're awake.