SIDS stands for sudden infant death syndrome.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year of age that doesn't have a known cause even after a complete investigation.
This investigation includes performing a complete autopsy, examining the death scene, and reviewing the clinical history.
While the cause of SIDS is unknown, many clinicians and researchers believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to arouse from sleep, to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide.