Question

Sudden infant death syndrome most commonly occurs in infants between the ages of ______ months.

A.) birth and 2
B.) 6 and 8
C.) 4 and 6
D.) 2 and 4

Answer 1

Sudden infant death syndrome most commonly occurs in infants between the ages of 2 and 4 months. Factors that contribute to SIDS include brain abnormalities and environmental risks. Preventative measures can reduce occurrences.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained and sudden death of an infant during sleep. To answer the student's question, SIDS most commonly occurs in infants between the ages of 2 and 4 months (D).

In understanding SIDS, it is critical to know that it primarily affects infants who are less than one year old, with a higher incidence in boys than in girls. SIDS has various associated risk factors, such as premature birth, exposure to secondhand smoke, and overheating during sleep. Additionally, abnormalities in brain structure or function may contribute to SIDS, suggesting the importance of the brain's ability to control arousal from sleep and the infant's breathing patterns.

Preventative measures recommended by researchers include placing infants on their backs to sleep, ensuring that cribs are free of suffocation hazards like blankets and pillows, preventing overheating, and maintaining a smoke-free home environment. These recommendations have been successful in reducing the incidence of SIDS.