Sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is sometimes referred to as cot death or crib death. Infants suffering from SIDS die unexepectedly with no known reason. Infants are at the highest risk for SIDS during their sleep. Male infants die more often than female infants; about 60% of the cases are male infants. Infants also die more often during winter months.

The reason for SIDS are unknown, but there are different theories:

• Problems with blood flow to the brain
• Problems with levels of serotonin
• Effects of the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (which causes botulism)
• Toxic gases
• Reaction to certain vaccines