Cot Death is a term frequently heard in the news and is often quoted as a cause of death when babies die unexpectedly.
Here are a few questions and answers relating to the term Cot Death or SIDS as it is sometimes referred to. There is also much more information in our Cot Death section.What is Cot Death?Cot death is a term commonly used to describe a sudden and unexpected infant death that is initially unexplained. The equivalent medical term is "sudden unexpected death in infancy" (SUDI). Some sudden and unexpected infant deaths can be explained by a thorough post mortem examination. Cot deaths that remain unexplained after post-mortem examination are usually registered as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sometimes other terms like sudden infant death, sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) or unascertained may be used.
What causes cot death?A thorough post mortem examination will reveal a specific cause of death in less than half of all cot deaths. Causes may include accidents, infection, congenital abnormality or metabolic disorder. For the cases that remain unexplained (SIDS), researchers think there are likely to be undiscovered causes . For many it is likely that a combination of factors affect a baby at a vulnerable stage of development.
Do babies only die at night in their cots?No, cot death can occur anywhere and at any time. Cot deaths do however usually occur during a period of sleep in their cot but babies can die during any other period of sleep in their parent 's arms or in a pram.
Do babies suffocate?When babies are found dead in their parents ' bed or with their faces covered it is sometimes thought they have died from suffocation. It is not known how often suffocation is in fact a total explanation for the baby 's death.
Do babies suffer any pain? No, most die peacefully in their sleep without pain or distress.
Does it only happen to certain babies?No, cot death can affect any baby, but certain babies are more at risk, namely premature and low birth-weight babies and boys, and later babies born to mothers who are still young.
What is the usual age for cot death?Cot death is uncommon in babies less than a month old, but rises to a peak during the second month. The risk then diminishes as the baby grows older. Nearly 90% of cot deaths have occurred by six months, and very few occur after a year. | 
What is Cot Death?
