What is SIDS?

 

The term Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) was first introduced in 19691 and was further refined to a SIDS definition in 1991.2 SIDS has historically been defined as the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant up to one year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation.

SIDS is now defined as the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant younger than one year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation including the performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene and review of the clinical history. It is the leading cause of death for infants during the postneonatal period.

Developed by the Program Support Center at First Candle with collaborative assistance from the Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Centers.