Question

Mounting evidence suggests that ________ is a major contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

A) impaired brain functioning
B) higher-than-average birth weight
C) organized and patterned sleep behavior
D) a family history of chromosomal abnormalities

Answer 1

Impaired brain functioning is a major contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), with preventative measures including safe sleep practices and maintaining a smoke-free environment.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mounting evidence suggests that impaired brain functioning is a major contributor to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In SIDS, an infant stops breathing during sleep and dies, with infants younger than 12 months and boys being at higher risk. Risk factors for SIDS include premature birth, exposure to secondhand smoke, and hyperthermia. Differences in brain structure and function in infants who die from SIDS have also been noted. Parents can reduce the risk of SIDS by placing infants on their backs to sleep, removing suffocation hazards from the crib, preventing overheating, and ensuring a smoke-free environment.

In SIDS, an infant stops breathing during sleep and dies. Researchers believe that there may be differences in both brain structure and function in infants that die from SIDS. The part of the brain that controls arousal from sleep and breathing may be immature or abnormal in these infants. This suggests that impaired brain functioning plays a significant role in SIDS.