Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) News and Research

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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old. It is the leading cause of death in children between one month and one year of age. Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between 2 months and 4 months of age.

New Lullaby Trust-funded study could prevent sudden, unexpected deaths of babies and children

An innovative new study funded by The Lullaby Trust is being launched, which could have profound implications for preventing the sudden and unexpected deaths of babies and children.

19 Apr 2016

Babies should sleep in their own beds during first three months to reduce risk of SIDS

The advice given to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, SIDS, has worked well, but the potential to save more lives exists. In addition to sleeping on their backs, infants should sleep in their own beds for the first few months to reduce the risk of sudden infant death. A new doctoral thesis at Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg has explored these issues.

15 Feb 2016

Epilepsy deaths should be considered a public health priority, say doctors

Epilepsy is not a public health priority, yet it takes more lives than sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or fires, according to an article reviewing the topic. Doctors say epilepsy deaths should be a focus of research and education to understand and prevent those deaths, according to the "Views and Reviews" article published in the December 16, 2015, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

17 Dec 2015

Researchers call for improved cause-of-death reporting to advance understanding of epilepsy

Recent studies conclude that people with epilepsy have a 27-fold greater risk of sudden death than people without the disorder. However, many of these deaths could be prevented through greater identification of epilepsy as a cause of death, and in educating the public more effectively about the disease's life-threatening dangers.

17 Dec 2015

New moms don't receive advice on infant care from physicians, study finds

Many new mothers do not receive advice from physicians on aspects of infant care such as sleep position, breastfeeding, immunization and pacifier use, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

28 Jul 2015

Family, cultural and geographical factors influence unsafe sleep position of infants

When it comes to newborn sleep, mother may not know best. According to Deborah Raines, associate professor in the University at Buffalo School of Nursing, family, cultural and geographical influences may lead some mothers to place their newborn children in unsafe sleeping positions.

16 Jul 2015

Non-invasive autopsy service nominated for national award

Sheffield’s radiology team are in the running for a top national medical award after establishing the world’s first minimally invasive autopsy service for babies and children who tragically die in the womb or 28 days after birth.

24 Mar 2015

Prone position linked to epilepsy sudden death risk

Around three-quarters of patients who have a sudden unexpected death in epilepsy are found lying in the prone position, show meta-analysis findings.

30 Jan 2015

Researchers discuss effects of mother-infant bedsharing

Recommendations by physician groups to avoid bedsharing among mothers and their babies are intended to reduce sleep-related infant deaths. But evidence suggests that the risks of bedsharing have been over-emphasized, advice never to bedshare is unrealistic, and avoiding bedsharing may interfere with breastfeeding, according to an article in Breastfeeding Medicine, the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

8 Dec 2014

People who have uncontrolled seizures are at heightened risk for SUDEP

One in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy over the course of a lifetime leading to nearly three million Americans now living with epilepsy. For nearly one-third of them, their seizures are uncontrolled by medicine and other common forms of treatment.

6 May 2014

Only two-thirds of full-term infants are placed back-to-sleep, says neonatologist

Since 1994, parents have been urged to put their babies to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

5 May 2014

Vanderbilt participates in national study to evaluate effectiveness of group prenatal care

Vanderbilt University hopes to enroll about 400 women in a national study to evaluate the effectiveness of a new model of group prenatal care designed to improve the health and well-being of mothers and babies during pregnancy, birth and infancy.

21 Apr 2014

Research sheds new light onto possible causes of sudden infant death syndrome

Research at the University of Adelaide has shed new light onto the possible causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which could help to prevent future loss of children's lives.

16 Apr 2014

Study: Infants attributed to sudden infant death syndrome may be due to brainstem abnormalities

Investigators at Boston Children's Hospital report that infants dying suddenly and unexpectedly, in both safe and unsafe sleep environments, have underlying brainstem abnormalities and are not all normal prior to death.

11 Nov 2013

Study: Frequent bedsharing linked with longer duration of breastfeeding

Frequent bedsharing between a mother and infant was associated with longer duration of breastfeeding, but researchers warned of the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with bedsharing, in a study by Yi Huang, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and colleagues.

24 Sep 2013

Comprehensive analysis of disease burden in US

In nearly every major cause of premature death - from ischemic heart disease to diabetes to interpersonal violence - the United States trails its economic peers, according to new research from a global collaborative of scientists led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

12 Jul 2013

Tummy time exercises important for infant's physical and mental development

Thanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most parents know the safest way for an infant to sleep is on their back. The campaign has reduced the number of children who have died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has declined by more than half. But sleeping is only a portion of the infant's day. What should parents do when their baby is awake?

15 May 2013

University of Michigan poll shows most parents don't always follow pediatrician's advice

Pediatricians regularly dispense advice to parents of young children during well-child visits, but a new University of Michigan poll shows that many aren't following doctors' orders.

19 Mar 2013

Investigators discover two new genes associated with severe early-onset disorders of heart rhythm

A team led by Vanderbilt University investigators has discovered two new genes - both coding for the signaling protein calmodulin - associated with severe early-onset disorders of heart rhythm.

7 Feb 2013

Grandparent caregivers unaware of more recent safety and other recommendations

The number of grandparent caregivers continues to grow, and while these older adults may be experienced in caring for young children, many are unaware of more recent safety and other recommendations - including those related to appropriate child sleep position, crib safety, car seat and walker use, according to research presented Oct. 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans.

22 Oct 2012