SIDS, What Everyone Needs to Know Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a disease that has a major effect on society, yet there is no known reason or cure for it. SIDS is a medical term that describes the sudden death of an infant, which still remains unexplained. All known possible causes were carefully ruled out through autopsy, death scene investigation, and review of the medical history ("Facts"ÃÂ 1).
SIDS remains the leading cause of death among infants between 1 month to 1 year of age. SIDS is responsible for over 7,000 deaths a year, which is nearly one baby every hour of every day. Many more children die of SIDS in a year than all who die of cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined. It strikes families of all races, ethnic and socioeconomic origins without warning (Laliberte 82).
Some people tend to think SIDS might be contagious.
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A plot of SIDS rate from 1988 to 2006Yet, it is not and can not be spread through contact and is not an airborne disease. It is not caused by vomiting and choking, or minor illnesses such as colds or infection. ("National"ÃÂ 1).
SIDS is not new. It is referenced in the Old Testament (1 Kings 3:19). SIDS is a recognized medical disorder and is listed in the International Classification of Diseases ("National"ÃÂ 2).
Currently SIDS can not be predicted. An infants death occurs very rapidly, usually during sleep and there is no suffering involved. It is not caused by external suffocation and the victims appear to be healthy prior to death (Gorman 80). SID occurs more frequently among female children, and more often in those who have been born prematurely or had a low birth weight ("Sudden"ÃÂ 411).
Studies at Harvard have found that a high number of SIDS babies exhibit brain...