SIDS-SUDDEN INFANT SYNDROME
Keywords:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), unexplained infant death, infant mortality, epidemiology of SIDS, risk factors for SIDS, sleep-related infant deaths, prone sleeping position, environmental influences, genetic predisposition, brainstem dysfunction, cardiorespiratory regulation, preventive measures, safe sleep practices.Abstract
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains one of the leading causes of death among infants under one year of age, despite significant advances in healthcare. SIDS is defined as the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically during sleep, and remains a diagnosis of exclusion after thorough investigation. The etiology of SIDS is considered multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. Risk factors include prone sleeping position, exposure to cigarette smoke, and prematurity. Recent research highlights the role of brainstem abnormalities in regulating cardiorespiratory function. Preventive strategies such as safe sleep practices have contributed to a decline in SIDS rates, but ongoing research is essential to fully understand its mechanisms and further reduce its incidence. This article reviews the current understanding of SIDS, emphasizing epidemiology, risk factors, proposed pathophysiological mechanisms, and prevention efforts.
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