The baby is unexpectedly found dead, usually in bed. The older the mother, the lower the risk, with infants of teenage mothers being at greatest risk. There is a higher rate of SIDS among infants whose mothers did not receive prenatal care and who smoked or abused drugs during pregnancy. Many researchers think that what we now call SIDS will one day be found to be a number disease processes which leads to deaths which on the surface appear to be similar. Mothers should be encouraged to take good care of themselves and to follow prenatal health advice.
Smoking is discouraged.
The Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths.