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🥸intro to psychology review

SIDS

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant under the age of one, typically occurring during sleep. It is one of the leading causes of death among infants in developed countries and a major concern for parents and healthcare providers. SIDS is closely related to the topics of sleep problems and disorders, as it occurs primarily during an infant's sleep. Understanding the risk factors, prevention strategies, and underlying mechanisms of SIDS is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of infants.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age in developed countries.
  2. Prone sleeping (sleeping on the stomach) is a major risk factor for SIDS, as it can lead to rebreathing of exhaled air and suffocation.
  3. Certain genetic factors and abnormalities in the brainstem may contribute to the risk of SIDS by affecting the infant's ability to regulate breathing and arousal from sleep.
  4. Placing infants on their backs to sleep (supine position) is the most effective way to reduce the risk of SIDS.
  5. Factors such as exposure to secondhand smoke, overheating, and soft bedding have also been associated with an increased risk of SIDS.

Review Questions

  • Explain the relationship between SIDS and sleep problems or disorders.
    • SIDS is closely linked to sleep problems and disorders in infants. The sudden and unexplained death of an infant during sleep is the defining characteristic of SIDS. Factors that contribute to sleep-related issues, such as apnea (temporary pauses in breathing), hypoxia (lack of oxygen), and prone sleeping (sleeping on the stomach), have been identified as significant risk factors for SIDS. Understanding the sleep-related mechanisms and risk factors associated with SIDS is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies and ensuring the safety of infants during sleep.
  • Describe the role of genetic factors and brainstem abnormalities in the development of SIDS.
    • Certain genetic factors and abnormalities in the brainstem may contribute to the risk of SIDS. Research has suggested that genetic variations and defects in the brainstem, the part of the brain responsible for regulating breathing and arousal from sleep, can impair an infant's ability to respond to potentially life-threatening situations during sleep. These underlying neurological and genetic factors can make infants more vulnerable to SIDS by affecting their respiratory control, sleep-wake cycles, and arousal mechanisms. Understanding the role of these biological factors is crucial for identifying high-risk infants and developing targeted interventions to prevent SIDS.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of the 'Back to Sleep' campaign in reducing the incidence of SIDS.
    • The 'Back to Sleep' campaign, which promotes placing infants on their backs (supine position) to sleep, has been highly effective in reducing the incidence of SIDS. Since the implementation of this campaign in the early 1990s, the rate of SIDS in many countries has declined by more than 50%. By encouraging parents to place their infants on their backs to sleep, the campaign has addressed the significant risk factor of prone sleeping, which can lead to rebreathing of exhaled air and suffocation. Additionally, the campaign has raised awareness among parents and healthcare providers about other important SIDS prevention strategies, such as avoiding soft bedding, overheating, and exposure to secondhand smoke. The success of the 'Back to Sleep' campaign demonstrates the importance of evidence-based public health interventions in addressing complex and potentially life-threatening sleep-related issues like SIDS.