How common is sudden infant death syndrome?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) isn't common.
It happens to about 1 in 2,000 babies.1
A baby has a greater risk of SIDS if a brother or sister has already died for no known reason.2 3 But it's still very rare for SIDS to happen twice in the same family. Occasionally, a medical condition that babies inherit may cause more than one baby in a family to die suddenly.4
Sources for the information on this page:
- American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The changing concept of sudden infant death syndrome: diagnostic coding shifts, controversies regarding the sleeping environment, and new variables to consider in reducing risk. Pediatrics. 2005; 116: 1245-1255.
- Oyen N, Skjaerven R, Irgens LM. Population-based recurrence risk of sudden infant death syndrome compared with other infant and fetal deaths. American Journal of Epidemiology. 1996; 144: 300-305.
- Guntheroth WG, Lohmann R, Spiers PS. Risk of sudden infant death syndrome in subsequent siblings. Journal of Pediatrics. 1990; 116: 520-524.
- Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. What is cot death? April 2005. Available at http://www.fsid.org.uk/cot-death.html (accessed 10 January 2008).
This information was last updated in Jan 18, 2008
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This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |
