Figure 4.

Triple risk model in the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). (a) Visualization of the triple risk model after Courts and Madea [50]. Genetic predisposition and risks during development create a vulnerable infant. If this vulnerable infant encounters environmental triggers during a critical developmental period, it may become an SIDS victim. (b) Visualization of the triple risk model after Filiano and Kinney [48] and Trachtenberg et al. [34]. A combination of intrinsic risk factors (genetic predisposition, risks during development) and extrinsic risk factors during a critical developmental period may create an SIDS victim.