[Sudden infant death. Reduction of the incidence of death in Belgium].

Research works have led to a better knowledge of some of the major causes of sudden unexpected infant deaths. Sleep recording techniques and home monitoring programmes identify and protect some of infants at high risk. Sleep studies described some of the mechanisms responsible for lack of physiologic adaptation of infants to endogenous and environmental factors. Large scale education campaigns have been organized since 5 years to inform health professionals and families against the known risk factors for sudden death. A 60% reduction in infant mortality has since been observed. The efforts of prevention against these deaths have been coordinated by the National Infant Death Watch Tower in association with heath associations and the Ministry for health. A further reduction in infant mortality is expected in the years to come.