What is SUDI?
SUDI stands for Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy. It is an umbrella term for unexpected infant deaths in the first year, including both explained (often fatal accidents such as suffocation) and unexplained cases (SIDS/cot death).
In New Zealand, between 40 and 60 babies die of SUDI each year.
Many of these deaths could be prevented by following safe sleep practices – by making sure your baby’s bed and sleeping space are safe for them.
SUDI is frightening for new parents to think about, but it’s important to know the facts, and to know what you can do to reduce the risk for your pēpi.
PlunketLine (0800 933 922) or your Plunket nurse can give you more information on how to reduce the risk of SUDI.
What increases the risk of SUDI?
The highest SUDI risk period is in the first four months of life.
The main risk factors for SUDI are:
- Smoking in pregnancy
- Bedsharing with pēpi if māmā smoked in pregnancy
- Unsafe sleep spaces
- Alcohol or drug use around pēpi
- Premature pēpi (born early) or very small (under 2500g).
Research shows smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of SUDI by six times. Smoking in pregnancy and bed-sharing increases the risk by 32 times.
The risk of SUDI can be lowered by following the Foundations for Safe Sleep.
Sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) prevention
