What does 'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome' refer to?

'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome' (SIDS) specifically refers to the unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant, usually during sleep, which is often termed as 'crib death.' This phenomenon occurs without any warning signs and is particularly associated with infants under one year of age. The term 'crib death' highlights the typical setting in which these incidents occur, reinforcing the association of SIDS with sleep environments.

The other options, while they pertain to aspects of infant health or development, do not accurately capture the essence of what SIDS is. Unexpected neonatal death encompasses a broader range of possible causes rather than the specific circumstances of SIDS. Cognitive impairment relates to a spectrum of issues regarding mental functioning, which is unrelated to the sudden and unexplained nature of SIDS. Lastly, developmental disorders refer to a range of physical or mental conditions that affect a child's development, rather than being tied to an unexpected death during infancy. Thus, the term 'crib death' is the most accurate descriptor of SIDS.