Global burden, inequalities, frontier dynamics, and risk factors of sudden infant death syndrome, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2021

Despite an overall reduction in the global burden of SIDS, it remains a significant public health challenge with pronounced gender, age, and socioeconomic inequalities. However, significant heterogeneity in diagnostic practices and a well-documented shift in death certification from SIDS to broader classifications mean our results may underestimate the true decline in sudden unexpected infant deaths. To further reduce the burden of SIDS, targeted interventions are needed, focusing on perinatal health, addressing gender and age disparities, tackling region-specific air pollution issues, and prioritizing efforts in high-burden countries.