Clinical Features of SIDS

Sudden infant death remains an unpredictable, unpreventable, and largely inexplicable tragedy. The baby is seemingly healthy without any sign of distress or significant illness prior to the incident.

• Death occurs while the infant is sleeping and occurs rapidly.
  
  
• Typically, it is a silent event. The baby does not cry.
  
  
• The infant usually appears to be well developed, well nourished and is generally felt to be in good health prior to death. Minor upper respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms are not uncommon in the last two weeks preceding SIDS.