LESSON 3.20

Children’s Health in the U.S. – Part 1

Health: Sleep-Related Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID)

SUID accounts for the most deaths of infants between 1 and 12 months of age (0.86/1000 live births).

  • In 2011, 38% of infant deaths were attributed to SUID.

SUID includes deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, and unknown causes.

  • Rates are highest among American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, and Native Hawaiian infants.
  • Rates were approximately twofold higher for these groups.

Source: HRSA Maternal & Child Bureau, 2015

American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations:

  • Infants should sleep on their backs
  • Sleep in an safety approved crib or bassinet
  • Remove all loose bedding and soft objects from the bed
  • Room sharing without bed sharing
  • Avoid exposure to tobacco smoke
  • Breastfeed the infant

Source: AAP, 2011

For decades, disparities among racial and ethnic groups have been documented in preterm birth, low birth weight infants and sudden unexpected infant death rates. Overall, racial and ethnic minorities consistently have higher rates of these adverse outcomes compared to Caucasians. During the past several years, sleep-related sudden unexpected infant deaths have become a public health priority. National and state initiatives are being funded to educate parents and families about the need for safe sleeping environments for their infants. Many of these initiatives overlap with other public health programs such as those working to eliminate tobacco use and exposure, and those that are promoting the health benefits of breastfeeding infants.