Am J Psychiatry 1978; 135:831-834
Copyright © 1978 by American Psychiatric Association
Sudden infant death syndrome: impact on families and a direction for change
SE Weinstein
Until recently, there were no standardized approaches to the diagnosis of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of death in the age
group of one week to one year in the United States. This has led to
confusion among professionals and hardships for parents and families. The
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Act of 1974 provided funding for the
dissemination of information, counseling, and education. The author reviews
the scope of the SIDS problem, the ways in which it affects families, and
mechanisms by which community resources can be mobilized to assist
families.
