Why has the incidence of SIDS dropped dramatically in the US?
 What is SIDS?Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation, including: Show
In the United States, SIDS is the major cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months. SIDS happens in families of all social, economic and ethnic groups. SIDS is not contagious, predictable or preventable. SIDS is sudden and silent, occurring most often during sleep, with no signs of suffering. Terms used in the past to describe SIDS include �crib death� or �cot death.� How Common is SIDS?The SIDS rate has dropped dramatically. However, there are approximately 2,500 infants who die of SIDS every year in the U.S., and SIDS is the third leading cause of infant mortality. In 2009, SIDS was responsible for 57 infant deaths in Illinois, compared with 106 infant deaths in 1999. SIDS occurs more often in males and in African-American and American Indian or Alaskan Native infants. More SIDS deaths occur in the colder months. What Causes SIDS?The cause(s) of SIDS is still unknown. However, it is generally accepted SIDS is a combination of factors or events. A leading theory is that an infant who appears to be healthy has an underlying defect located in the brain stem. This area in the brain controls heart and lung functions, including heart rate and breathing. SIDS studies indicate some babies have a delay in the development of or an abnormality in the part of the brain involved in breathing and waking. Babies born with this abnormality may be more vulnerable to sudden death. Other factors also could play a role in SIDS. For example, if an infant with an underlying problem is exposed to other factors or stressors, such as secondhand smoke or sleeping on their stomach, the infant is at a higher risk of dying from SIDS. Because the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown and there is no way of predicting which infants are at a higher risk, it is important to eliminate the risk factors that can be controlled. These factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, tummy sleeping and other unsafe sleep practices. What are the SIDS Risk Factors?
What can I do to Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
Back to Sleep CampaignIt is important to remember there is no way to prevent SIDS. However, we do know babies sleep safer when placed on a firm surface on their back. The Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994 to help inform parents and caregivers of the importance of back sleeping. Since the introduction of the Back to Sleep Campaign, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by more than 50 percent nationwide. The campaign has since expanded to the Safe to Sleep Campaign to include recommendations for parents and caregivers on ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and to reduce the risk of other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation. For more information on the Safe to Sleep Campaign, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website at www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/Pages/sids.aspx American Academy of Pediatrics 2011 SIDS Policy RecommendationsIn 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its policy statement regarding SIDS based on recent research studies. Recommendations now include:
For more information on the American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Policy Recommendations, visit www.healthychildren.org/English/news/pages/AAP-Expands-Guidelines-for-Infant-Sleep-Safety-and-SIDS-Risk-Reduction.aspx SIDS and Bed-SharingAccording to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bed-sharing is not recommended. Bed-sharing has not been found to be protective against SIDS, and bed-sharing increases the risk of accidental suffocation and overlay. However, room sharing may be protective against SIDS. Placing the baby in a safety approved crib or bassinet near the adult bed will allow parents to remain close to the baby while providing a safe sleep environment. Can Vaccinations Cause SIDS?Recent studies conclude routine vaccinations are not risk factors for SIDS. Because vaccinations typically begin at age 2-to-4 months, the peak age for SIDS, many people have associated vaccinations with the increased risk of SIDS. The association of vaccinations and SIDS has been studied for several years, and reports conclude routine vaccinations do not contribute to SIDS. In fact, infants who have been vaccinated have a decreased risk of SIDS. Is the incidence of SIDS decreasing?When it comes to statistics, here's an important one to start with: SIDS cases have been on the decline since 1994. "The incident of SIDS has declined by more than 50% in the U.S. since the early 1990s when the 'Back to Sleep' campaign was launched," says Dr.
What decreases the chance of SIDS?Always Place Baby on His or Her Back To Sleep, for Naps and at Night, To Reduce the Risk of SIDS. The back sleep position is the safest position for all babies, until they are 1 year old.
What is the main reason SIDS deaths decreased after 1994?Since the “Back To Sleep” campaign was initiated in 1994, SIDS rates have dropped over 40 percent nationwide. “Back To Sleep” is a national, public education campaign encouraging health care providers and the public to put infants to sleep either on their backs or their sides.
How much has the SIDS rate dropped in the US since the start of the Safe to Sleep campaign?Since the start of the campaign, SIDS rates in the United States have decreased by almost 50%, both overall and within various racial/ethnic groups.
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