Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected, unexplained death of a healthy baby under one year old, typically during sleep. Although the exact cause is unknown, it's believed to involve a combination of factors affecting the baby's brain and ability to control breathing and heartbeat during sleep. Risk factors include prone sleeping positions, soft bedding, overheating, and exposure to cigarette smoke. To reduce risk, caregivers are advised to place babies on their backs to sleep on a firm surface, keep the sleep area free of soft objects, and avoid smoking around the infant. Ongoing research aims to better understand and prevent SIDS.