Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Other Infant Death (OID) and Crib Matching Program Information

Reducing infant deaths is a priority in Georgia. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the number one cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age. For this reason, it is important to focus on risk reduction activities related to SIDS and to support families at the time of the death of a child.

What is SIDS?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the “sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation including:

• performance of a complete autopsy,
• examination of the death scene, and
• review of the clinical history” (Willinger et al., 1991).

Nationally, approximately 2,500 infants die each year due to SIDS. SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants age one month to one year in Georgia. During 2007, there were 144 SIDS deaths in the state of Georgia.

Georgia Crib Matching Program

The Georgia Crib Matching Program began in late 2007. This program is currently available for agencies throughout the state of Georgia to participate. Each participating agency must complete SIDS Risk Reduction Training and all required documentation for the Crib Matching program.

Additionally, participating agencies agree to purchase a minimum of five new/unused portable cribs with a bassinet and the Georgia Department of Public Health – Maternal and Child Health Program will match three cribs to the respective agency. Agencies are allowed to purchase more than five cribs, therefore increasing their number of matched cribs. There are specific requirements that families receiving a crib must meet (See FAQ).