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WATCH: Researchers discover new way to assess risk for SIDS

A possible way to predict if babies are at risk for sudden infant death syndrome, also known as SIDS.

Researchers at the UVA School of Medicine have discovered a new way to determine if babies have died from SIDS. SIDS is the number one killer of babies between one month and a year old. It often happens without warning.

According to the CDC, for every 100,00 live births in Virginia - 105 will die of SIDS.

An analysis of blood samples from infants who died of SIDS gave researchers specific biological indicators that may help identify at-risk infants.

“Are there blood tests that we can do potentially on living infants that may indicate a higher risk for SIDs while the infants are living soon after birth? And in that way, we can at least alert the parents and the caregivers,” said Dr. Fern Hauck, a UVA Health family medicine physician and researcher.

The causes of SIDS are mostly unknown, but there are ways to prevent it. Make sure infants are put to sleep on their backs in a crib or bassinet by themselves. There should be no other items in the crib besides a firm mattress and fitted sheet.


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Char Morrison joined the WSLS team as a Content Gatherer in fall 2024.