Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Safe Sleeping Habits
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the largest category of Sudden Unexplained Infant Deaths (SUID) and is the third leading cause of infant deaths. SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than a year old that cannot be explained after a thorough investigation is conducted, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history (CDC, 2008). SIDS cases are difficult to identify and monitor due to the lack of consensus regarding diagnostic criteria and reporting guidelines. Studies have identified some risk factors associated with SIDS and other unexplained infant deaths. Risk factors include placing infants to sleep on their stomach or side, use of soft bedding, low birth weight, younger maternal age, mothers with less formal education, maternal depression, and lower socioeconomic status.
As a result, the “Back to Sleep” Campaign was launched in the United States in 1994 and resulted in a major decrease in SIDS deaths. Additional prevention messages include encouraging parents and caregivers to keep their baby’s sleeping environment free from toys and fluffy blankets, and avoid co-sleeping or sleeping adjacent to their child, particularly when extremely tired or while taking medications.
For more information on SIDS and safe sleeping, please visit:
->California Programs
->National Programs
->International Programs
->Related Materials and Publications
->Best, Good, and Promising Practices
->California Laws and Regulations
California Programs
- California Department of Public Health: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program
- California SIDS Program
- Contra Costa Health Services: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program
- Mendocino County Public Health Department: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program
- Sonoma County SIDS Program
National Programs
- American SIDS Institute
- CDC Division of Reproductive Health: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
- CJ Foundation for SIDS
- FirstCandle
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
- National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center
International Programs
Related Materials and Publications
- KidsAroundCanada.com: Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits Article
- MayoClinic.com: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Article
- MedlinePlus.com: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Health Information
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Reference Tool- Preventing SIDS and Promoting Safe Sleeping Habits
- Nemours Foundation: Kids Health- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Article
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: SIDS “Back to Sleep” Campaign
- National Sudden and Unexpected Infant/Child Death and Pregnancy Loss Resource Center: Infant Mortality Policy and Communication Tools
- Pediatrics: International Trends in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome- Stabilization of Rates Requires Further Action Journal Article
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: International SIDS/Infant Death Program Highlights [pdf, 155KB*]
- U.S Department of Health and Human Services: Safe Sleep For your Baby Brochure [pdf, 772KB*]
*PDF documents require Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader for free.
Best, Good, and Promising Practices for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Prevention
- CDC Division of Reproductive Health: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
- National Center for Cultural Competence Promising Practice For Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death: Community Engagement Brings Credibility to Risk Reduction [pdf, 797KB*]
- National Center for Cultural Competence Promising Practice For Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death: Dialogue Creates Effective Risk Reduction Training [pdf, 152KB*]
- National Center for Cultural Competence Promising Practice For Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death: Keeping the Faith [pdf, 664KB*]
- National Center for Cultural Competence Promising Practice For Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death: With Always Right, Teens Get the Message [pdf, 118KB*]
- National Center for Cultural Competence Promising Practice For Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Other Infant Death: Using Traditional Practices To Support Change [pdf, 144KB*]
- National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
*PDF documents require Adobe Reader. Download Adobe Reader for free.
California Laws and Regulations
The following links provides a brief description of relevant laws and regulations. For more information click on the provided link which will take you to leginfo.ca.gov, select the appropriate code type, enter the code number, and press search.
- California Government Code §27491: Coroner's responsibilities
- California Health and Safety Code §1254.6: Hospital provision of free SIDS information and instructional materials
- California Health and Safety Code §1596.87: Prohibits a child day care facility from using or having unsafe cribs
- California Health and Safety Code §1797.170: EMT SIDS training requirement
- California Health and Safety Code §1797.193: Firefighters SIDS training requirement
- California Health and Safety Code §123725: Definition of "SIDS" and the "SIDS Advisory Council"
- California Penal Code §13519.3: Requires the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training to establish a SIDS training course
- California Welfare and Institutions Code §18285: Child Health and Safety Fund
