Infant Mortality
Infant Mortality
In Wisconsin, while most infant deaths are attributed to congenital conditions and certain other known natural causes of death, approximately 16% of infant deaths are categorized as Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). SUID is a term used to describe deaths in infants under 365 days in age, in which the cause of death is not clear before investigation. Most of these deaths are found to have undetermined causes or be attributed to asphyxia in a sleep environment.
In an effort to gain a better understanding of these deaths, Wisconsin participates in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SUID Case Registry. The registry allows the state to collect and analyze data on SUIDs in Wisconsin and identify common risk factors. This data shows that 97% of SUIDs occurred in a sleep environment, with 56% occurring in an adult bed and 86% occurring in the presence of soft or loose bedding. The presence of soft or loose bedding, adult mattresses, toys or other people in an infant’s sleep environment are known to increase their risk of asphyxia, so it is important to educate parents and caretakers about these hazards.
Promoting safe sleep practices is therefore a critical step in reducing the burden of SUID in Wisconsin.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Case Registry
The Alliance is the Wisconsin grantee for the SUID Case Registry. A SUID is defined as the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than one year old, that does not seem to have a specific cause before investigation. The SUID Case Registry allows Wisconsin to perform SUID surveillance by having local teams review the cases that occur in their counties and enter their data.
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Report: Data from 2019-2021 (Released 2024)
Infant mortality is a national and local public health concern. View the most recent SUID data in Wisconsin.
Sleep Baby Safe
We want all babies to sleep in a safe environment. Sleep Baby Safe is a suite of resources created by the Alliance to enhance local efforts to promote a consistent and clear safe sleep message based on the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.
ABCs of Safe Sleep
Help promote the ABCs of safe sleep. This document can be used as a handout for families or as a poster in public spaces.
Sleep Baby Safe Training Modules
These online training modules were created as a refresher for the Sleep Baby Safe in-person training.
Safe Sleep Projects
Local public health departments and tribal agencies throughout Wisconsin are leading safe sleep projects within their communities.
Sleep Baby Safe & Abusive Head Trauma Survey
Learn more about how infant safe sleep and abusive head trauma (AHT) information is shared with new and expecting families.
Just Response
Learn more about reducing sleep-related infant mortality impacting Black communities in Southeast Wisconsin to help inform safe sleep prevention efforts.
Pilot Project
Partner with health departments to reach caregivers and learn more about infant sleep practices to help inform safe sleep prevention efforts.
Contact Our Staff
Joanna O’Donnell, GC-C
Program Manager
(414) 337-4571
jodonnell@childrenswi.org
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Keeping Kids Alive in Wisconsin is funded in part by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public, MCH Title V Services Block grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services.
