what is the abbreviation that refers to an unexpected and unexplained death of a healthy infant; also called crib death
By Mayo Clinic Staff. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often die in their cribs. Although the cause is unknown, it appears that SIDS may be associated with abnormalities in the portion of an infant's brain that controls breathing and arousal from sleep. Researchers have discovered some factors that may put babies at extra risk.