Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Other Infant Death (OID)
Information, Support and Referral Program

Reducing infant deaths is a major 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).

What is the Georgia SIDS and Other Infant Death Information (SIDS/OID), Support and Referral Program?
This program is a partnership between the Division of Public Health and the Georgia Sudden Infant Death and Other Infant Death Information, Support and Referral Project also called the Georgia SIDS Project. Its purpose is to educate the public about reducing the risk of SIDS and other infant death through early prenatal care, prenatal smoking cessation and smoke-free environment, breast-feeding, reducing overheating, use of firm bedding materials, positioning the infant on his back when sleeping, and assuring a safe sleep environment for the baby.

In addition, the program provides bereavement support services for Georgia families who have experienced an infant death, as well as training for professionals to support these bereaved families.

For professionals the program offers DHR approved training classes related to SIDS and OID. These include specific presentations for child care professionals, nurses, mental health professionals, health education specialists, child birth educators, social service staff, and others.