sudden infant death syndrome

noun

, Pathology.

1. death from the sudden cessation of breathing (apnea) of a seemingly healthy infant, almost always during sleep, sometimes traceable to a chronic oxygen deficiency. : SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

noun

1. a technical term for cot death SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

/ sŭd′n /

1. A fatal condition that affects sleeping infants that are less than one year old and appear to be healthy. It is characterized by a sudden cessation of breathing and is thought to be caused by a defect in the central nervous system.
2. Also called crib death SIDS

sudden infant death syndrome

1. Also called crib death, the deaths of sleeping infants less than a year old for unexplained reasons.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sudden infant death syndrome¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Evidence suggests there is a "strong link" between sudden infant death syndrome and inadequate sleeping arrangements.

From BBC

Decades ago, Bergman made waves in Olympia and Washington, D.C., advocating for research into sudden infant death syndrome, then also called “crib death.”

From Seattle Times

Overheating is one of the potential causes of sudden infant death syndrome.

From BBC

They had begun by studying SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome, and had theorized that it might be caused by the infants literally being unable to breathe while they slept.

From Salon

The high incidence of low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome in such communities was a focus of the program.

From New York Times