Question

which of the following infants would have the greatest chance of dying from sudden infant death syndrome (sids)?

a.) a 6-month-old that slept in their own crib in their parents room

b.) a 6-month-old that slept in their parents bed

c.) a 1-month-old that slept in their own crib in their parents room

d.) a 1-month-old that slept in the bed with their parents

Explanation:

Analyze the risk factors of SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk is heavily influenced by both developmental age and sleep environment. Statistically, SIDS risk peaks between 1 and 4 months of age, making younger infants (like a 1-month-old) more vulnerable than older infants (like a 6-month-old).

Evaluate the sleep environments

Safe sleep guidelines strongly discourage bed-sharing (sleeping in the parents' bed) because it significantly increases the risk of accidental suffocation, entrapment, and SIDS. Conversely, room-sharing (sleeping in their own crib in the parents' room) is recommended as a protective factor that reduces the risk of SIDS.

Compare the options

• Option a & c (Crib in parent's room): This is the safest recommended sleep arrangement, which minimizes SIDS risk.
• Option b (6-month-old in parents' bed): Bed-sharing increases risk, but a 6-month-old has better motor control and a lower baseline SIDS risk than a younger infant.
• Option d (1-month-old in parents' bed): This combines the highest-risk age group (1-month-old) with the highest-risk sleep environment (bed-sharing), resulting in the greatest overall risk.

Answer:

• a.) A 6-month-old that slept in their own crib in their parent's room
• b.) A 6-month-old that slept in their parents bed
• c.) A 1-month-old that slept in their own crib in their parent's room
• d.) A 1-month-old that slept in the bed with their parents (Correct answer)