Which statement about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is true?

Which statement about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is true?

• A. SIDS most frequently occurs from 1 to 3 years of age.
• B. Risk of SIDS is the same with lower birth weight infants as with normal birth weight infants.
• C. Maternal smoking is associated with a higher incidence of SIDS.
• D. The risk of SIDS is increased with a recent general anesthetic.

Answer: (C)

Maternal smoking is a well-established, modifiable risk factor for SIDS. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under one year with no explained cause after thorough investigation, and it most commonly occurs in the early months of life, not from 1 to 3 years. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth worsens SIDS risk because it impairs fetal oxygen delivery and can disrupt brainstem control of breathing and arousal during sleep, making the infant more vulnerable to fatal events. In contrast, SIDS is not linked to recent anesthesia, and low birth weight infants have a higher risk compared with normal birth weight infants, not the same risk.

Maternal smoking is a well-established, modifiable risk factor for SIDS. SIDS is the sudden death of an infant under one year with no explained cause after thorough investigation, and it most commonly occurs in the early months of life, not from 1 to 3 years. Exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth worsens SIDS risk because it impairs fetal oxygen delivery and can disrupt brainstem control of breathing and arousal during sleep, making the infant more vulnerable to fatal events. In contrast, SIDS is not linked to recent anesthesia, and low birth weight infants have a higher risk compared with normal birth weight infants, not the same risk.