October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

Sudden infant death syndrome is the leading cause of death for infants between the ages of one month and one year of age. Despite all the years of research on SIDS it still remains unpredictable and takes about 2500 infant lives a year.

Most deaths due to SIDS happen between 2 and 4 months of age. There is not one single factor that is likely to cause an infant death but several of the factors combined may cause and at-risk infant to die. Below are potential risk factors that could lead to SIDS:

• Poor prenatal care

• Stomach sleeping

• Overheating from too much sleepwear or covers

• Prematurity/low birth weight

• Second hand smoke exposure after birth

• Smoking, drinking, drug abuse during pregnancy

• Young mothers usually under 20 years of age