What causes sudden infant death syndrome?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), known as cot death, is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently well baby, the NHS said.

At least 300 babies die from cot death every year, although the overall risk of an infant dying in such was is low.

• Most deaths happen during the first three months of a baby's life, with premature or low weight babies at greater risk

• More common in baby boys, experts believe SIDS occurs at a particular stage in a baby’s development, affecting those who are ulnerable to certain environmental stresses, such as getting tangled in bedding or minor illness

• Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature

NHS advice states mothers can reduce the risk of SIDS by not smoking while pregnant or after the baby is born, and always placing the baby on their back when they sleep.

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