Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden, unexplained death of an infant under the age of one year old. It is a leading cause of infant deaths in the United States; approximately 3500 infants die every year and are considered cases of SIDS. A review of published, primary research from the past decade will be performed to assess the etiology of SIDS. Studies investigating the relationship between co-sleeping and increased SIDS risk as well as those including information on other potential risk factors such as sleep position, environment, and pre-disposed conditions will be included. By better understanding factors that may predispose an infant to die unexpectedly of SIDS, education and prevention may reduce the number of infants affected in the future.
