What causes SIDS?

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Answer by Francine
Submitted on 10/14/2003
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Give us all the real answer! The truth is that no one really knows the real answer. There are 'risk' factors, but it still happens to babies that don't fit into those categories. My daughter passed away of SIDS one month ago yesterday, and I thought we were taking every precaution against the threat of SIDS. Our child didn't fit into any risk category except the fact she was under 6 mths (barely). We got to her minutes after it happened, and started CPR right away, but it didn't help (I found out later, it never does help in SIDS cases). The truth is that more research needs to be done to answer the question WHY?? Everyone has theories and beliefs, but the cause is still not known. The truth is that you can't prevent it, if it happens, it happens, and there is nothing you can do about it. And even though I found out the hard way, that a child cannot be resurrected or saved. That is the REAL ANSWER at the moment. And as a parent whose child was stolen from me by SIDS, that makes me feel very angry and helpless. The 'real answer' will only be found out with more research. It's impossible to accept this answer, but it is the truth at the moment.

Answer by Francine
Submitted on 10/31/2003
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I haven't heard or read anything in the research now available that shabach123 has stated as far as it being that there is no circulation in the rooms and causes carbon monoxide in that way. I have read however that some infants who were monitored ( wore a recording device while they lived normally at home)and who passed of SIDS showed that their blood oxygen level decreased rapidly and although the infants continued to breathe, that the blood could not carry the oxygen, so what was being breathed in was CO2(what we exhale). I've also read that it is possible that if the infant is lying on a soft blanket face down, that it may pocket small amounts of the exhaled air and the infant could possibly rebreathe in CO2. I think it will be different causes deemed in different infants as time goes on. However, it should show carbon monoxide factors within the autopsy results if they are present. I know this was not a factor with our daughter..... and it was September when she passed. Nice weather here at that time. As far as lack of air circulation in a room, I don't agree with that personally, they would be able to detect carbon monoxide easily during their autopsy and I think it would happen with people of all ages in that case.

Answer by Francine
Submitted on 11/29/2003
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They are NOT proven factors in SIDS research. They are "precautionary" factors. The truth is that they still don't know if any of these factors contribute to SIDS at all. The fact is the even though the rate of SIDS incidence seems to the general public to have decreased........ that doesn't mean that the infant mortality rate has... more deaths that have previously been classified as SIDS are being put into other categories now because the actual causes are being determined. That would automatically reduce the SIDS statistics. I took all the precautionary measures that are mentioned above with my daughter, and she still passed of SIDS. And I was well educated with these "risk" factors, and I found out the hard way, that they aren't preventative recommendations. The majority of SIDS babies that are dying don't seem to fit into these "risk" categories either............ which makes me wonder as well. I think that it is beneficial to listen and apply these recommendations to the care of your baby......... they are recommended by the leading experts in this field. However, I also think that it's important to know that they do not prevent SIDS from happening..... SIDS is claiming the lives of many babies who slept on their backs, didn't have anything soft in the crib, were never exposed to smoke, and who had normal temperatures in their rooms and/or home. My daughter was one of those babies.... and the truth is no one knows why this happens.

Answer by Francine
Submitted on 3/6/2004
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thankyou very much for your comments. I'm glad that you are doing a project on SIDS... I hope that people do get the true facts about SIDS and not just the unproven data that is out there...... I am devastated and crushed by my baby girl's death........ she was the world to me, to my family. I have noticed though that most people don't want to hear how real SIDS is, that it IS possible to lose your child without warning and that there is nothing you can do to prevent it from happening. People want to turn their blinders on and pretend that it's not true or that it does exist........ until it happens to you. I recently read this article where a SIDS parent had told her families story and one of the comments that was printed the following week about the article, was that as a recent new mother, she wished she could erase the story from her mind, that she was stressed out enough over being a new mother, that she didn't need to know that there was something that could claim the life of her baby and she wouldn't be able to prevent it from happening.... she said she wished she could wipe the story from her mind and that she didn't believe that a Parents magazine should be printing such stories. I have to say, I pretty much felt the same way.......UNTIL it happened to my baby. I just wanted to pretend that it couldn't happen...after all, it happened to other people's babies, not mine!!! Boy was I wrong......... and the thing is that what I want out of this is to point out that it IS out there, that it can happen, not to scare people to death; but maybe get them interested enough so they help promote and support education and more research to find at the very least a cause as to why this happens. I don't want to open my heart and expose my pain, but at the same time, my little girl didn't just drop off of the face of this earth for no reason.... I want to know why this happened, I want people to care enough to help find out why this happened and continues to happen...... why??? To stop it from happening so it won't happen to other people's most precious little bundles. If we don't take off those blinders even a little bit, it will simply keep claiming the lives of our babies. I just wish that most people (like myself) are just so convinced it'll never happen to their family; and when it does, you wonder why people don't do more. So, thank you for doing your project, if you touch even one person, it is a tribute to my daughter and so many other little Angels SIDS has claimed.

Answer by Francine
Submitted on 8/16/2004
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There is no why answers at the moment.... thousands of theories and beliefs.... some I believe on the right track; other so far fetched that you wonder how people think such things:( People are frightened and they don't want to hear that a seemingly healthy baby can just pass and that there isn't enough medical technology to tell us why..... they certainly can rule "known factors" out; such as suffocation, infections, etc. (which are not SIDS) but they still can't tell us why........ It's absolutely horrifying to lose your giggly little Muffin Mix and then have people tell you; sorry we don't know what happened! and that's that. They told us what didn't happen, no airway obstructions and that they believe it centered in her brain (but not tramatic brain injury... just that her brain shut down......... So unacceptable to me; I wish more people, like yourselves were more inquisitive and caring and wanted to help find out why too. But the reality seems to be that unless it happens to you or someone you know people want to put on blinders and act as though it's not happening or that they can't help find out why..... so sad. I'm not that strong emotionally yet, and my family really need to heal a bit first, but when that time comes I will start and never stop until I find out why Madison passed... why is NOT good enough for me.

Answer by monica
Submitted on 1/13/2005
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hi way before i was born my uncle died of sids. my moms brother.im not sure how old he was but all i know is that he was sleeping outside in his carriage while my grandmother sat near by reading a book in the fresh air. she happend to glanced over to check on him and saw that he was blue.he was dead.i wonder though because i have heard stories were the parents will be holding there precious baby's in there arms and there baby's will be going to sleep and maybe a minute or 2 later after falling asleep they are dead.if it is happening only while they sleep and even when they just fall asleep.well they need to look into it more. i spend hours everyday sifting through websites about sids.and reading stories about families who lost there angels to it.you wouldn't think that a baby who was born healthy to a healthy mother would die of sids.even a baby older then 7 months..its a mystery...my heart crys to hear about these stories i am hoping and praying that a cure is found so it will put a stop to sids and answer the questions to millions who lost there babies.so everyone will be a peace that atleast there little one didn't suffer.i am a mom .and when i had my baby in late 2003 i stayed by the crib all night long never sleeping,looking for the chest to rise and for my mirror to fog.i wouldn't sleep untill the next morning when someone else was up to be with the baby while up.so i could atleast get in a hr of sleep nobody should have to worry about putting there baby to bed at night,and staying up all night long worried that something is gonna happen.with a cure.everyone minds will be at rest.and then we all could have a good-nights rest knowing that our baby's are finally will be safe while sleeping.

Answer by Salim A.
Submitted on 2/23/2005
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I really want to know what causes SIDS. It sometimes called the death of unknown origin, and then researchers pointed out probabilities of interfering many reasons from mother's behaviors during early pregnancy to first candle lit.SIDS also related to lack of caution from parents and caregivers in addition to wrong sleeping cloths and beds. If the baby was just fine before it goes to sleep then suddenly it found dead, this really shocking and tragic ,and such death of no cause will lead researchers to do more for finding actual cause. some how logical and illogical that SIDS rates are higher in black than white, at this point I'm asking every body there if researchers have access to certain group of ethic easier than other,in another words do African American and blacks have open doors for reporters, or it a question of absolute genetic predisposition.

Answer by shylena
Submitted on 10/30/2005
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My son Michael passed away on September 21, 2005. I have been trying to cope and find answers to this problem and understand why it had happened to my child. My son had a little cold and he was real congested and I took him to the doctors that Monday and the doctor said he was fine perfectly healthy and he just had the sniffles but he was fine. If I would have known that my baby would have been gone that Wednesday I would have tried to be with him, I wouldn't have went to work, I would have been with my son. Michael was 19 weeks when he passed away. That was the worst day of me and my husbands life. I breastfed my son, I never let anyone smoke in the house or around him, I would lie him on his stomach yes but we knew he was strong enough to move his head and adjust his self. Anyways, no one can prevent their child of passing away from SIDS. I work at a hospital and I have been obsessed with doing research of the causes of SIDS and I have been speaking to doctors on the matter and this is what I have found out about it. The brain secretes a chemical called serotonin. Well when the baby is sleep the brain secretes more of this chemical. That is why CPR doesn't work it is a chemical imbalance. They are not able to tell us why this secretion takes place but that is what I was told by doctor's. And that makes me feel like the other lady helpless and more scared because this can happen again and there is nothing that I can do about it. That is why it is unexplained because they do not know why the brain does this.

Answer by ian
Submitted on 7/5/2006
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what causes sudden infant death syndromes? based on my research, the cause of SIDS are still idiopathic or unknown,many researchers and medical groups had many answer about this disease.research based shows that the cause of this is due to respiratory impairment or failure during the stage of infancy,the question is ,is this genetically acquired or cause by environment stimuli? to be able to prevent this ,the primary intervention is to place your child always in supine position not in prone position,because this may alter the respiration of the infant and it is believed to be the predisposing factor,next always check or assess the child's environment especially the air inside the area,if the air needed by the child is adequate,or it is already polluted,then avoid excessive temperature inside the babies room to prevent any alteration in respiration.

Answer by jeremiahs mom
Submitted on 7/30/2006
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IT BEEN 20 YEARS AGO MY SON DIED OF SIDS. I ALSO WOULD LIKE THE ANSWERS TO WHY? MY OLDEST SON SLEPT IN THE SAME BED JERMIAH DID AND HE WAS JUST FINE. I HAD A DAUGHTER LATER IN LIFE WITH ANOTHER MAN AND SHE WOULD STOP BREATING ON ME TOO ESPECIALY IN THE CAR SEAT OF OF THE CAR. (PUTTING A DISH TOWEL UNDER HER BUTT HELPED HER BREATH)THE MONITOR ALSO WENT OFF IN HER BED. SHE IS NOW SWEET SIXTEEN AND JUST FINE. Francine I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS I RAN INTO THE SAME THINGS 20 YEARS AGO. I DID'NT DO THIS OR I DID THAT. THAT IS WHAT CAUSED JEREMIAHS DEATH. I WAS ALSO LUCK OR UNLUCK THAT MY GIRLFRIENDS DAUGHTER DIED A MONTH BEFORE. WE DID HEALTH SHOWS, BENIFITS, FOR SIDS AND WE BOTH COULD NOT BELIEVE THE THINGS PEOPLE WOULD SAY TO US OF WHY OUR CHILDREN DIED. WE WERE GREAT PARENTS! AND LOVED THEM VERY MUCH. CURTIS I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU OR YOUR GIRLFIREND BUT BE THERE FOR YOUR FRIENDS. THEY WILL WANT TO TALK ABOUT THERE CHILD.AND THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO IS LISTEN ITS GREAT THERAPY FOR THEM. NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAD A CHILD AND THEY MATTER TO THEM JUST AS MUCH ANY OTHER CHILD OF THEIRS. IT IS 20 YEAR LATER. AND I STILL TALK ABOUT HIM IF YOU FEEL UNCOMFOTRTABEL ABOUT IT THAT IS YOUR PROBLEM. I TALK ABOUT MY OTHER KIDS AND HE IS MY KID TOO. S PARENTS WE ALL WONDER WHAT WOULD THEY BE OR DOING? SADDLY IT'S A QUESTION WE WILL NEVER FIND OUT. TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE LOST A CHILD. GOD ONLY GIVES SPECIAL PARENTS AN ANGEL TO WATCH OVER US.

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<< Back to: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) misc.kids FAQ

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Question by Brandon
Submitted on 9/4/2003
Related FAQ: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) misc.kids FAQ
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What causes SIDS?

Answer by HANNAH
Submitted on 9/19/2003
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it just rapidly happens it is no ones fault!

Answer by Bounty
Submitted on 10/9/2003
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GIVE ME THE REAL ANSWER!

Answer by shabach123
Submitted on 10/29/2003
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I've heard some say that it could be the carbon monoxide that we exhale which in turn is breathed into the lungs which is poison to us but healthy to vegetation..in the winter months you don't have open windows for ventilation so there is no circulation in the room...this is not law or proof, just statements made by pediatricians.

Answer by just so
Submitted on 11/17/2003
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Cause is indeed still unknown. As mentioned factors involved are known to contribute but do not explain why and what exactly. Main factors to avoid: 1. child sleeping on belly 2. to soft mattresses, blankets etc. 3. smoking in the house 4. high temperatures in the child's bedroom These have been extensively studied and are proven factors in SIDS. Proof of the pudding: in Netherlands, with influx of immigrants (not educated on the subject), SIDS in Netherlands is increasing again. Big worry to Gov over-here. There are a few more factors that I can not remember just like that, but there are plenty of web sites on this subject.

Answer by ashley
Submitted on 1/14/2004
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i just want to thank you Francine bcuz im doing a school project to help people understand more about sids! your information and story was touching and helped me myself to learn more about it... im sorry for your lost... but i know by what u typed that ur a strong person and ur crushed inside but will pass the discomfort.

Answer by Cheez
Submitted on 3/25/2004
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Give you the real answer??? you can't just come up with an answer it is something that after the autopy and background check if your infant died and they still don't know why, they say it was SIDS. The Baby just stops in his/her sleep you can't help it or save them so u just have to give it time and let the pain see itself

Answer by MONICA
Submitted on 4/15/2004
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I would like to know the answer as well, I lost my son, two weeks ago. I am searching for answers. He was 7 and 1/2 months old, my husband and I took all of the precautions as well, and I also breast-fed him, which they say is also a way to reduce the risk. As Francine has said, we need more people to be concerned, to help us grieving mothers and fathers get some answers.

Answer by Freedom
Submitted on 4/16/2004
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My friend's baby died this past week from SIDS, but I was wondering, if babies die from SIDS when laying face down in the mattress. This baby had continuous respiratory infections and you could always hear his chest rattle. My friends and I are a little shook up because she said she found him lying face down and when she picked him up he gasped for air. Would that still be considered SIDS? please let me know

Answer by Curtis
Submitted on 6/18/2004
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My girlfriend and I were curious about SIDS, and what is it and what causes it? Neither of us really knows anything about it and we want to know more about it and what can be done to prevent it. We both know people that have lost children to SIDS and are looking for answers to the questions of WHY?

Answer by LaTisha
Submitted on 10/19/2004
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I lost my little girl this past week to Sids. My baby was premature but the hospital said that my little girl was healthy when she came into the world she was not attached to anyting. Came home the same way healthy, eating,sleeping just like a baby do my baby was only 29 days old. But I am going to try to do more research on this thing called Sids.

Answer by Rell
Submitted on 10/20/2004
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SIDS have been questioned by so many people and so many people have been affected by this situation. I myself have a friend who's child has passed because of SIDS. I feel as though it is so weird how someone can just die and there is no evidence or any type of clues as to what has caused this death. It puzzles us all. I send my condolences to the families who has had to go through this tragedy. And again I say WHY? Also!

Answer by LA LA LALALA
Submitted on 3/3/2005
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IIIIIIIIIIII DONTTTTTTTTTTTTTT KNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Answer by beech
Submitted on 3/8/2005
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there is no known cause. but what i think is that in most cases it happens i a crib and new parents get so excited and carried away and put to much in the crib. i think that is cute but we don't want to suficate these babies. but i'mnot saying thats really the cause.

Answer by momma
Submitted on 3/10/2005
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Hello Francine, How are you? I just came upon this site and am scared then ever now. I am a new mom of a 7 month old, and i too, am taking all precautions. I was wondering if you do not mind helping me with this. I am doing research myself, and hopefully come up with some sort of solution. Was your daughter sleeping on the same baby mattress that your other children slept on previously? As well, was your child found facing flat on her tummy? I am so scared and really need to know. I hope that you can help me with this. I will keep you in my prayers. Many Thanks Momma

Answer by karin
Submitted on 4/23/2006
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I LOST MY BABY DAUGHTER TO SIDS SHE WAS 3MONTHS OLD I WAS TOTALY DEVOSTATED I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY FAULT THAT MY BABY DIED BECAUSE I SMOKE I WILL NEVER FORGIVE MYSELF I CAN'T BRING HER BACK AND I CAN'T TURN THE CLOCK BACK I WISH I COULD, I STOPPED SMOKING 2 YEARS BEFORE I HAD MY LAST BABY AGAIN I LOST HIM TO SIDS HOW CAN SOMETHING BE SO CRUEL TO TAKE TWO CHILDREN FROM ME IN THIS WAY IT IS A MOTHERS WORST NIGHT MARE TO FIND HER BABY COLD IN ITS COT I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT I SEEN I STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES ABOUT FINDING MY BABY CAN ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME I FELL LIKE I AM GOING INSANE

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Answer by Linda
Submitted on 5/25/2005
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THE SUDDEN PASSOVER DEATH OF CHILDREN WAS FORETOLD IN THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS. The Israelite children go up to GOD that have at least one parent that has two consecutive dreams like Joseph did in the Old testament to foretell the future. The Levi line of prophets that was chosen to minister forever.

Answer by cindy
Submitted on 1/2/2006
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please someone tell me about sids i think i read every article my baby is 18 months and i still dont let my shield down i am contiually checking on him hes always close to me when he sleeps and i monitor his breathing all the time. hes healthy and i am so blessed but i always want to know all the facts about kids and their stages this is one question that i never answered

Answer by steph
Submitted on 1/6/2006
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I have been trying to research SIDS since my 6 month old son died from SIDS. When the autopsy came back it showed nothing, which I was told is normal in a SIDS death. They have no REAL answers, and I believe that alot more studies should be done to help save other babies. I really hate the thought of any other parents having to go through what so many parents do go through because of SIDS.

Answer by Rob
Submitted on 1/10/2006
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My lil sister died of SIDS she was born april 14, 1997 and died july 3, 1997 to this day I have no clue what causes SIDS. I really do miss her but she is now in a better place. If someone has any info on SIDS please submit.....Thank You

Answer by watcher
Submitted on 3/9/2006
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Francine = murderer?

Answer by Reenie
Submitted on 6/17/2006
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My son just passed away 2 weeks ago from SIDS. He was sleeping on his back and when my husband went to check on him he was gasping for air. he eventually passed away at the hospital because he had oxygen that was gone from his brain for too long and it caused his body to shut down. i breastfed him and he always slept on his back and we always did the same routine. We loved him dearly and I treasure the 5 months I had with baby Christopher and I will carry him in my heart every day

Answer by Mandi
Submitted on 7/25/2006
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I am a proud new mama of a baby boy and I think about SIDS a lot...its a harsh reality right? Not knowing what it was i googled "SIDS" and what I found most websites stating was that the baby's death could most commonly be explained after looking into the mothers pregnancy with the baby, things like a low weight gain or smoking/doing drugs/drinking even just being under 20 apparently put the baby at a higher risk of passing from SIDS. these were not all the factors but some of the ones that stood out to me. So ultimately how well we took care of ourselves before our babies came will determine how well they live?...Proven facts or not, it makes sense. no?

Answer by cat
Submitted on 9/8/2006
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no one knows

Answer by Britany
Submitted on 7/14/2007
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Hello. I am a new mother of an 8 month old, and since he was premature, he is condsiderd high risk. My grandmother and I were discussing SIDS, and what may cause it. Afew years ago, my family witnessed a case first hand when a couple arrived with their chid in our driveway. My mother attempted cpr, but it was ineffective...yet another victum of SIDS. What I am wondering is if the babies victum of the disease were administed vaccines within a few weeks of death. We speculated that numerous vaccines administed at once could be a factor. Answers would be appreciated.