• Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses

    Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.

    29. What is SIDS? - Top

    SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) results in the death of 7,000 infants a year in the United States. The infants are generally between the ages of 1 month and 1 year. The infants are usually found dead in their cribs with no particular warning. On autopsy, these infants show a specific pattern of pathological findings that have been associated with SIDS. The death of these children in such an unexpected way is always devastating to a family.

    Unfortunately, we do not completely understand SIDS but it presently appears to be a multifactoral syndrome. It is now known that the majority of babies who die with SIDS are not normal prior to death; however, presently it is not possible for parents or physicians to identify infants with this abnormality. We know that some infants are at higher risk of SIDS. The following groups are at 5 - 10 times higher risk than the general population for SIDS:

    The second or succeeding child born to a teenage mother

    Infants exposed to cocaine, heroin, or methadone during pregnancy

    Infant whose sibling died of SIDS

    Infants born weighing less than 3 pounds.

    The point to realize here is that even with this high risk group, 99% will not die from SIDS.

    Other associated findings that can be preventable prior to a baby's birth are:

    1 - Poor prenatal care is associated with increased SIDS: (good prenatal care necessary starting in the first three months of pregnancy)

    2 - Smoking during pregnancy increases risk of SIDS: (Do not smoke)

    3 - Increased SIDS with heroin/cocaine use during pregnancy: (Do not use cocaine/heroin)

    4 - SIDS decreases with older mothers and increases with teenage mothers: (Avoid teenage pregnancy)


    After the child is born, there are some higher risk areas that can be reduced:

    1 - Studies show breast fed babies have a lower SIDS rate: (Breast feed babies whenever possible)

    2 - Recent report shows babies sleeping on stomachs have higher risk of SIDS: (Babies should sleep on their back)

    3 - SIDS is often associated with recent minor colds or intestinal infections: (Avoid exposing infants to crowds and people with illness)

    There are babies who have near SIDS with the following symptoms:

    Sudden episode of breathing difficulty (particularly during sleep)

    A not breathing episode (apnea) lasting longer than 15 seconds

    Blueness or paleness usually associated with a snot breathing episode

    Theme symptoms can be associated with other problems also, but should be evaluated by your physician.

    Presently there is no treatment for SIDS. The only answer we have at this time is the home monitoring system using apnea-bradycardia monitors to detect a baby's "not breathing" episodes or episodes of abnormally slow heart rate. The system will set off an alarm when a baby does not breath for 15 - 20 seconds or the baby's heart rate drops below a specified level. This then alerts the parents to respond with stimulation or CPR to revive the baby. If your baby is at high risk of SIDS, the advantages and disadvantages of this approach should be discussed with your baby's doctor.

    The issue of SIDS can be frightening and depressing to parents and take away from the joy of raising your baby. I emphasize to parents that 99% of even high risk babies do not die with SIDS. Every parent should try to do some or all of the things mentioned to reduce their child's risk of SIDS and enjoy their baby without the shadow of SIDS hanging over them during the first year.
    - Updated: March 23, 2001

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP