Each year between 1983 and 1992, the average number of reported SIDS deaths ranged from 5,000 to 6,000. Over the past few years, especially since the mid 1990s, the number of SIDS deaths has declined significantly. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that in 2002 in the United States, 2,295 infants under 1 year of age died from SIDS (NCHS, 2004). Still, when considering the number of live births each year, SIDS remains the leading cause of death in the United States among infants between 1 month and 1 year of age and the third leading cause of death overall among infants less than 1 year of age (NCHS, 2004).

Although the overall SIDS rates have declined in all populations throughout the United States, disparities in SIDS rates and prevalence of risk factors remain in certain groups. SIDS rates are highest among African Americans and American Indians and are lowest among Asians and Hispanics (NICHD, 2001).

SIDS Deaths by Race and Hispanic Origin of Mother, 2002

*Per 100,000 live births by group.
Source: NCHS, 2004.
Mathews, T.J., Menacker, F., MacDorman, M.F.,. Infant Mortality Statistics from the 2002 Period Linked Birth/Infant Death Data Set. National Vital Statistics Reports; Vol. 53, No. 10. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics. November 24, 2004.

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