Final answer:
About two thousand infants die annually in the U.S. from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), with researchers focusing on factors like brain development and external risk factors. To minimize SIDS risks, parents should ensure infants sleep on their backs in hazard-free environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the United States, approximately two thousand infants die each year from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is one of the leading causes of death within the first year of life. SIDS is characterized by the unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, typically during sleep. Scientists believe factors such as immaturity or abnormalities in the parts of the brain that regulate arousal from sleep and breathing may be involved.
Infants under 12 months are at the highest risk, with a higher prevalence in boys compared to girls. Some risk factors include premature birth, exposure to secondhand smoke, and overheating. Current research continues to explore these risks and how to mitigate them.
To reduce the risk of SIDS, parents are advised to follow safety recommendations including placing infants on their backs to sleep and ensuring that the sleeping environment is free of potential suffocation hazards such as blankets, pillows, and padded crib bumpers. These practices have contributed to a decrease in the number of SIDS-related deaths over the years.