SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

Abstract

A detailed survey of the incidence of sudden death syndrome in infants has revealed this to be a major contributing cause of infant mortality in South Australia, particularly in the age group two months to seven months, where it accounts for 60% of all deaths. Because of ignorance of this condition, there Is frequently self‐recrimination and blame on the part of the parents, and much unnecessary suffering. The condition needs to be recognized by medical practitioners, and explained to the parents of the affected child. The causative factors still remain a mystery. There has been shown to be a relationship to age, sleep, low birthweight and winter months.