{"id":353370,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/sudden-infant-death-syndrome.html"},"modified":"2023-11-16T09:22:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:22:26","slug":"sudden-infant-death-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/sudden-infant-death-syndrome.html","title":{"rendered":"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Legal Information"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): Legal Information<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically occurring during sleep between 2 to 4 months of age. While the exact cause is unknown, risk factors include sleep position, soft bedding, overheating, and certain physical conditions like brain abnormalities or low birth weight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Every year, close to 1,400 infants die from\u00a0Sudden Infant Death Syndrome\u00a0(SIDS). SIDS is the\u00a0leading cause of unexpected deaths<\/a> among infants between two and four months of age. While most SIDS cases occur without warning or explanation, studies suggest other factors may play a part in some infant deaths.<\/p>\n

There are no clear causes of\u00a0Sudden Infant Death Syndrome<\/a>. There are risk factors that increase the risk of SIDS, both for the baby and the mother. There are also things you can do to help ensure safe sleep for your infant. This section addresses each of these in detail.<\/p>\n

Causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome<\/h2>\n

Researchers have spent years studying SIDS to help determine its causes. Although there is no definitive answer as to what causes SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a> (AAP) suggests that an infant’s sleep environment, genetics, and sleep position play a significant role in the number of deaths each year.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, there is no finite list of what may cause SIDS. It remains a leading cause of death for infants. However, medical experts and researchers have devised a list of potential causes of this condition. They have divided them into two categories: Physical Causes and Sleep Causes.<\/p>\n

Physical Causes of SIDS<\/h3>\n

Physical causes of SIDS include the following:<\/p>\n