Crib death, or Sudden infant death
syndrome (SIDS), is listed as the cause of death in about 8,000 infant
fatalities each year in the United States. In this
syndrome, a seemingly healthy infant is put to bed and then dies during sleep for reasons that cannot be explained. Crib death tends to strike in the second or third month after birth, and is rare after a baby is more than 6 months old. It is slightly more common in boys than in girls, and black and American Indian babies seem to be at higher risk than Asian, Caucasian, or Hispanic infants.What causes crib death? There is no single cause of SIDS, nor is there general agreement as to whether it is one disease or a constellation of different disorders. Many theories have been put forth over the years, including poor prenatal care, low birth weight, fast-moving pneumonia, lung or heart disorders, and sleep apnea, a disorder in which the sleeper stops
breathing and sometimes does not start again. While none of these possible causes has been absolutely ruled out in all cases, scientists today believe that babies who are victims of crib death have a subtle brain abnormality. The problem may lie in the brain stem, which controls breathing and heart rates, or in the areas of the brain that control sleep patterns or learning processes. Some researchers are also investigating the role of brain centers that control such specific functions as movements of the tongue muscles or regulation of body heat.Symptoms: sudden, unexplained death in an otherwise normal, healthy baby. Sleep apnea, or lapses in which a baby stops breathing during sleep.