SIDS: more facts and controversies

Abstract

A more robust theory of the causation of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is needed. The asphyxial theory of SIDS, which encompasses the prone sleeping position, relies on contradictory pathological evidence and fails to explain infants with SIDS who are found in the supine or lateral position. Many of the risk factors for SIDS point to an infective cause. The relative risks of these infection-related factors differ from study to study, as does the relative risk of prone sleeping position. I present the case for an infection model for SIDS causation, which has largely been neglected by mainstream SIDS researchers.