SIDS and SUID

baby sleeping in crib

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is a term used to describe the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than one year old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation. These deaths often happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area.

About 3,400 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. A thorough investigation is necessary to learn what caused these deaths. Sudden unexpected infant deaths include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation in a sleeping environment, and other deaths from unknown causes. Although the SUID rate has declined since the 1990s, significant racial and ethnic differences continue.

Learn more about Safe Sleep for Babies from the California Department of Public Health.

Safe Sleep for Babies