What it means
A death of a seemingly healthy infant that stays unexplained after an autopsy, a review of the death scene and the health history. It is most common between 1 and 4 months of age. Risk factors include sleeping on the stomach or side, soft bedding, sharing a bed, overheating, smoke exposure and being born early. It is part of a wider group called sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).
For the nurse
Teach safe sleep for every sleep: alone, on the back, in a crib with a firm flat mattress and fitted sheet, with no pillows, blankets, bumpers or toys. Room-sharing without bed-sharing, a pacifier at sleep time, breastfeeding and a smoke-free home lower the risk. Model safe sleep in the hospital.
Remember it
ABC of safe sleep: Alone, on the Back, in a Crib.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | SIDS; SUID (sudden unexpected infant death) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante |
| Also written | SIDS, crib death, cot death |