What is cot death also known as?

Cot death is commonly referred to as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This term describes the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant, usually during sleep. The phenomenon typically occurs in infants under one year of age and is characterized by the absence of any obvious causes such as suffocation, choking, or other medical conditions.

Understanding SIDS is critical for caregivers, as it emphasizes the importance of safe sleep practices, including placing an infant on their back to sleep, using a firm sleep surface, and avoiding the use of soft bedding or toys in the sleep area. By educating parents and caregivers about these recommendations, the incidence of SIDS has decreased in many regions.

The other options describe different medical conditions or syndromes. Respiratory Distress Syndrome predominantly affects premature infants and involves breathing difficulties due to insufficient lung development. Apnea of Prematurity is a condition seen in premature infants where they experience temporary pauses in breathing during sleep. Infant Sleep Apnea refers to recurrent interruptions of breathing during sleep in infants but is not necessarily linked to the same unexpected death outcomes as SIDS.