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American Academy of Pediatrics
Article

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: An Update

Rachel Y. Moon and Linda Fu
Pediatrics in Review July 2012, 33 (7) 314-320; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.33-7-314
Rachel Y. Moon
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Linda Fu
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  1. Rachel Y. Moon, MD*
  2. Linda Fu, MD, MSc†
  1. *Director, Academic Development, Associate Chief, Division of General Pediatrics and Community Health, Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Children’s National Medical Center; Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
  2. †Children’s National Medical Center; Assistant Professor, Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
  • Author Disclosure

    Drs Moon and Fu have disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this article. This commentary does not contain a discussion of an unapproved/investigative use of a commercial product/device.

  • Abbreviations:
    ASSB:
    accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed
    LB:
    live birth
    OR:
    odds ratio
    SIDS:
    sudden infant death syndrome
  • Educational Gap

    • Although the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDs) deaths has remained constant–approximately 2,300 infants annually–since 2001, many deaths that previously would have been classified as SIDS now are attributed to other sleep-related causes.

    • The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on SIDS recently published a new Policy Statement and Technical Report providing evidence-based guidance on the other causes of sleep-related infant deaths, such as soft bedding, prone sleep position, and bed sharing.

    Objectives

    After completing this article, readers should be able to:

    1. Discuss possible etiologic mechanisms for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

    2. Identify the risk factors for SIDS.

    3. Discuss the American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Task Force recommendations and underlying rationale.

    4. Discuss the most common reasons for nonadherence with SIDS risk reduction recommendations.

    Introduction

    In 2007, Pediatrics in Review published a review article on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (1) This article uses that article as a reference and provides an update on the topic.

    What We Knew Then

    Definition

    SIDS is defined as a sudden unexplained death before 1 year of age. The death usually occurs in a previously healthy infant, and the cause of death remains unexplained despite a thorough case investigation, including a complete autopsy, death scene investigation, and review of the clinical history.

    Epidemiology

    In the United States, ∼2,300 infants die of SIDS each year. Despite the success of the Back to Sleep campaign, which is associated with a steady decline in deaths from SIDS from the beginning of the campaign in 1994 up to 2000, SIDS remains the third leading cause of death in infancy and the most common cause of death between 1 month and 1 year of age. Since 2001, …

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    In this issue

    Pediatrics in Review: 33 (7)
    Pediatrics in Review
    Vol. 33, Issue 7
    1 Jul 2012
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    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: An Update
    Rachel Y. Moon, Linda Fu
    Pediatrics in Review Jul 2012, 33 (7) 314-320; DOI: 10.1542/pir.33-7-314

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    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: An Update
    Rachel Y. Moon, Linda Fu
    Pediatrics in Review Jul 2012, 33 (7) 314-320; DOI: 10.1542/pir.33-7-314
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