Final answer:
A doctor is likely to attribute the sudden and unexplained death of an infant, particularly during sleep, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a leading cause of infant mortality in developed countries. The exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, however certain risk factors have been identified.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an infant unexpectedly and suddenly dies from an unknown cause, especially during sleep, it is most likely that the doctor will attribute the cause to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This is a condition where a seemingly healthy infant under the age of 1 year stops breathing and dies for no apparent reason. It remains one of the leading causes of infant mortality in developed countries. Some potential risk factors include premature birth, exposure to smoke, and overheating. Despite ongoing research, the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown but some scientists suspect deficiencies in the parts of an infant's brain that control arousal from sleep and breathing may play a role.
Learn more about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)