Facts About Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Deaths In California

  • In 2001 & 2002 SIDS was the second leading cause of death, post-neonatal (between the ages of one month through eleven months of life), of California residents, and was the leading cause of post-neonatal deaths for African Americans.
  • Male babies are more likely to die from SIDS than female babies. Males accounted for 63% of all SIDS deaths, while females represented 37%.
  • SIDS reported in 1992 568 cases – 2002 168 cases in California.
  • The rate of SIDS among babies born to mothers less than 20 years old was 174.4% per 100,000 live births. Births to these mothers account for 12.3% of live births and 22.4% of SIDS deaths.
  • The rate of SIDS among babies who weigh less than 2500 grams (5 lbs. 8 oz.) is 281.6 per 100,000 live births.
  • There is a seasonal pattern for SIDS. The highest percent of SIDS deaths occurs in November through March.
  • There is a distinctive age pattern for SIDS. SIDS is most likely to occur when the infant is between 1 to 4 months, with 93% of SIDS babies dying by the age of 6 months.
  • In Stanislaus County for the year of 2002, there were two reported cases of SIDS.

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