Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesRisk FactorsPreventionCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Risk Factors
Prevention
Coping
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) refers to the unexpected, unexplained death of an infant less than a year old. For a diagnosis of SIDS, the cause of death remains unclear even after a complete investigation. This may include an autopsy, taking a complete medical history, and reviewing the scene of death.
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Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep, and some people still refer to SIDS as “crib death.”
The exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, but researchers have a number of theories.
A growing body of research suggests that infants who die from SIDS have brain abnormalities or defects since birth. These defects are often found in the part of the brain that controls:
Researchers believe that in addition to brain defects, other events must occur for an infant to die from SIDS. Scientists describe this using a triple risk model.
Under this model, three factors all have to occur at once for an infant to die from SIDS. Having only one factor occur may not result in death from SIDS, but if all three occur, the chance of death from SIDS is higher.
The three factors include:
Infants who don’t have either of the first two factors may be able to overcome any environmental stressors and survive, but infants who may have an unknown problem, together with body systems undergoing a change, may not be able to handle such stressors.
All three factors need to occur for SIDS to be considered the cause of death.
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and SIDSA study published ineBioMedicineon May 6, 2022 sheds new light on apossible cause of SIDS. Scientists in Australia found that some babies at risk of SIDS have low levels of an enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in their blood. BChE plays a role in the availability of important neurotransmitters in the brain’s arousal pathway. Low levels may prevent waking when breathing is disturbed or interrupted. These findings could one day lead to newborn screening and interventions, if the results can be verified with further research.
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and SIDS
A study published ineBioMedicineon May 6, 2022 sheds new light on apossible cause of SIDS. Scientists in Australia found that some babies at risk of SIDS have low levels of an enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in their blood. BChE plays a role in the availability of important neurotransmitters in the brain’s arousal pathway. Low levels may prevent waking when breathing is disturbed or interrupted. These findings could one day lead to newborn screening and interventions, if the results can be verified with further research.
There are a number of other possible risk factors for SIDS, including:
Eliminating External Risk FactorsEliminating external risk factors, like environmental stressors, is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Eliminating External Risk Factors
Eliminating external risk factors, like environmental stressors, is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
How to Prevent SIDS
Creating a safe sleeping environment is important to prevent SIDS. Here are some tips to avoid SIDS in babies up to one year old.
Babies Should Sleep on Their Backs
Infants who sleep on their back are at less risk of SIDS than babies who sleep on their stomach or on their side. Some babies roll onto their stomach on their own.
A Firm Sleep Surface Should Be Used
The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that more than two dozen infants died between 2012 and 2018 from being left on or near nursing pillows or pillow-like lounging pads.
Use Pacifiers at Naps and Bed Time
If breastfeeding, wait until breastfeeding is going smoothly before trying a pacifier. Those not breastfeeding can offer a pacifier straight away. If a pacifier falls out during sleep, you don’t have to replace it.
If you have experienced the loss of an infant, it is important to seek support. Support groups include:
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5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health.About SIDS.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
National Institutes of Health.What causes SIDS?
Harrington CT, Hafid NA, Waters KA.Butyrylcholinesterase is a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [published online ahead of print, 2022 May 6].EBioMedicine. 2022;80:104041. doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104041
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