Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading
cause of death for babies 1 month to 6 months of age.1
- In the United States, about 8 babies out of
10,000 die of SIDS.2 More babies died of SIDS before
the national "Back to Sleep" campaign, which taught people to place babies down
to sleep on their backs.
- In the U.S., the SIDS rate is higher for
African Americans and some Native Americans compared to Caucasians, Asians, and
Hispanics.
- The rate of SIDS deaths in other
countries varies, in part because SIDS is not defined consistently throughout
the world.
Citations
Hymel KP and the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect,
American Academy of Pediatrics (2006). Clinical report: Distinguishing sudden
infant death syndrome from child abuse fatalities. Pediatrics, 118(1): 421-427.
Creery D, Mikrogianakis A (2006). Sudden infant death
syndrome. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also
available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Hymel KP and the Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect,
American Academy of Pediatrics (2006). Clinical report: Distinguishing sudden
infant death syndrome from child abuse fatalities. Pediatrics, 118(1): 421-427.
Creery D, Mikrogianakis A (2006). Sudden infant death
syndrome. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence. Also
available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
