Final answer:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death in infants characterized by the unexplained death usually during sleep. Risk reduction strategies include safe sleep practices such as infants sleeping on their backs and smoke-free environments. Research continues to focus on potential causes and further risk factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
To child care experts, SIDS refers to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which is the unexplained and sudden death of an apparently healthy infant, most commonly during sleep. Infants under the age of 1 year are primarily at risk, particularly those younger than 6 months. Several risk factors have been identified with SIDS, such as gender, with boys being more at risk than girls, premature birth, low birth weight, and exposure to secondhand smoke. Safe sleeping practices, like placing the infant on their back to sleep and avoiding soft bedding in the crib, can significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
Current research on SIDS is focused on understanding potential causes, such as brain abnormalities that affect an infant's ability to wake or breathe, and identifying more risk factors, particularly those related to genetics, environment, and physical factors. To reduce the risk of SIDS, parents and caregivers are advised to follow the 'Safe to Sleep' guidelines. These include ensuring the baby sleeps on their back, keeping the sleep environment free of soft items, overheating, and maintaining a smoke-free home.
For reliable sources of information on SIDS, new parents could look at resources provided by the Safe to Sleep campaign, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, or peer-reviewed medical literature to stay informed on the latest recommendations and research regarding SIDS prevention.