Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Abstract

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been defined as “the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of an autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.” SIDS is therefore a diagnosis of exclusion; suffocation, nonaccidental trauma, metabolic disorders, and congenital anomalies must be ruled out. Recent studies have identified defects in the brainstem serotonergic pathways in vulnerable infants. Other risk factors include prematurity, low birth weight, male sex, and smoke exposure. Current preventative recommendations include sleeping in supine position, avoiding overbundling, using a pacifier, and putting babies to sleep alone in empty cribs.