Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Submitted by emily.delphi on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 8:18am

Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden, unexplained death of an infant, and is the one of the main causes of death among infants between a month and a year. SIDS is said to occur only when no possible explanation can be found even after:

* Autopsy
* Examination of the place where the death occurred
* Review of medical history of infant and family

The baby typically does not seem to show any sign of suffering and death occurs rapidly. In addition, SIDS is commonly known as crib death because of a strong link with sleep. It is estimated that 2,500 babies in the United States die of unknown causes every year.

Probable Causes
While no single cause can be pinpointed, researchers believe that SIDS may be the result of a combination of several factors.

During pregnancy:

* Consumption of prohibited substances during pregnancy (tobacco, alcohol, drugs, etc.)
* Early motherhood
* Poor medical care during pregnancy
* Short interval between two pregnancies

After birth:

* Exposure to smoke after birth
* Sleeping on the stomach or sleeping on too soft a surface

The last point should be emphasized, as babies tend to pause in their breathing, or re-breathe exhaled air, reducing the amount of oxygen in their blood while increasing carbon dioxide. Babies need clear space around their heads to breathe freely.

Prevention

* Ensure that your child always sleeps on the back. Sleeping on the side is also not a good alternative. For babies, sleeping on the back reduces the chance of accidental death greatly.
* Your infant's sleep area should be firm, without any pillows, toys, or covering. A firm mattress is preferable to a soft one. Remove stuffed animals during nap or sleep time
* Keep a comfortable room temperature. Excess body heat is seen to increase the chances of SIDS.
* For unknown reasons, breast-feeding and pacifiers are known to decrease the risk of SIDS.
* Keep the air around the baby free of smoke.

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Unpredictable and Unpreventable

Submitted by anonymous on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 3:50pm.

While the information above is good information, keep in mind that SIDS is currently unpredictable and unpreventable. It happens across all races and socioeconomic classes, and happens to babies even with no risk factors.
By following the above guidelines you can take important steps in REDUCING the RISK, but even doing everything right doesn't entirely protect a baby from SIDS.

Tom

Submitted by anonymous on Thu, 07/23/2009 - 9:34pm.

“Since the implementation of the "Back to Sleep" campaign, therapists are seeing increasing numbers of kindergarten-aged children who are unable to hold a pencil.”
Susan Syron, Pediatric Physical Therapist

“There are indications of a rapidly growing population of infants who show developmental abnormalities as a result of prolonged exposure to the supine position.”
Dr. Ralph Pelligra regarding the impact of the Back to Sleep Campaign

“The increasing incidence of deformational plagiocephaly is likely related to the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and others that infants be placed to sleep on their backs.”
Persing J, James H, Swanson J, Kattwinkel J, Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine, Section on Plastic Surgery, Section on Neurological Surgery. Prevention and Management of Positional Skull Deformities in Infants

Plagiocephaly

Submitted by anonymous on Mon, 07/27/2009 - 11:46am.

I understand what Tom is saying about babies with flat heads. We have done a good job of getting babies on their backs to sleep, but not quite such a good job of convincing parents that baby needs good tummy time while awake and observed.

This problem is not all the fault of back sleeping. At the same time that we started placing babies on their backs to sleep, the car seat came out of the car. No babies spend a significant amount of their time in the car seat as it moves from the car to the stroller to the swing, to the grocery store cart.

We need to ensure that all our health professionals remind parents that when baby is awake, he or she needs plenty of tummy time. Carry your baby, not your car seat!