INFORMATION ON SIDS & SIDSnsw: SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS, once known as Cot Death, remains the number one killer of infant children from birth to one year of age, and can strike up to two years. Despite many millions of dollars of research, both in Australia and overseas, we do not yet know the cause. Today, many researchers believe that SIDS is multi-factorial. That is, there are a number of factors, some of which remain unknown. What we have learned over the last 10 years, is that there are contributing factors, which can be avoided. The three most significant factors which form the basis of SIDSnsw `Reduce The Risks' campaign are:
The Sudden Infant Death Association of NSW (SIDSnsw) SIDSnsw was started in 1975, to provide support for families who had lost a child to SIDS. Today, the Association continues that work, and includes all types of sudden infant death. SIDSnsw uses a combination of volunteer family supporters, themselves mostly SIDS parents, and paid professional staff, including social workers and bereavement counsellors. The Association also has a staff of community educators, both paid and voluntary, to spread the `Reduce The Risks' message throughout NSW. The Association, through it's contributions to it's umbrella body, SIDSaustralia, supports continuing research aimed at finding a cure for the Syndrome. SIDSnsw can be contacted during business hours on 02.9681 4500 (NSW) and maintains a family support 24 hour hotline, 1800 651 186. For help outside New South Wales (within Australia), contact The Sudden Infant Death Association (SIDA) in your capital city. Gary Vandersluis |
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