Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Ten Leading Causes Of Infant Death (U.S.)

Congenital anomalies
Pre-term/Low birthweight
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Problems related to complications of pregnancy Complications of placenta, cord, and membrane Accidents
Perinatal infections
Pneumonia/Influenza
Intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia have an abnormally high blood level of the chemicals that transmit nerve impulses to the brain, or that there is too much fetal hemoglobin in the blood. A third theory concerns the possibility that SIDS infants have an underlying abnormality in the central nervous system. This suggestion is based on the assumption that normal infants sense when their air supply is inadequate and wake up. Babies with an abnormal nervous system, however, do not have the same alarm mechanism in their brains. Other theories about the cause of death in SIDS include immune system disorders that cause changes in the baby's heart rate and breathing patterns during sleep, or a metabolic disorder that causes a buildup of fatty acids in the baby's system.

PHYSICAL SURROUNDINGS. A recent theory proposes that SIDS is connected to the child's rebreathing of stale air trapped in soft bedding. In addition to the infant's sleeping in the prone position, pillows, sheepskins, and other soft items may contribute to trapping air around the baby's mouth and nose, which causes the baby to breathe in too much carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen. Wrapping a baby too warmly has also been proposed as a factor.

— Teresa Norris, RN