What is SIDS?Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation, including: Show
In the United States, SIDS is the major cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months. SIDS happens in families of all social, economic and ethnic groups. SIDS is not contagious, predictable or preventable. SIDS is sudden and silent, occurring most often during sleep, with no signs of suffering. Terms used in the past to describe SIDS include �crib death� or �cot death.� How Common is SIDS?The SIDS rate has dropped dramatically. However, there are approximately 2,500 infants who die of SIDS every year in the U.S., and SIDS is the third leading cause of infant mortality. In 2009, SIDS was responsible for 57 infant deaths in Illinois, compared with 106 infant deaths in 1999. SIDS occurs more often in males and in African-American and American Indian or Alaskan Native infants. More SIDS deaths occur in the colder months. What Causes SIDS?The cause(s) of SIDS is still unknown. However, it is generally accepted SIDS is a combination of factors or events. A leading theory is that an infant who appears to be healthy has an underlying defect located in the brain stem. This area in the brain controls heart and lung functions, including heart rate and breathing. SIDS studies indicate some babies have a delay in the development of or an abnormality in the part of the brain involved in breathing and waking. Babies born with this abnormality may be more vulnerable to sudden death. Other factors also could play a role in SIDS. For example, if an infant with an underlying problem is exposed to other factors or stressors, such as secondhand smoke or sleeping on their stomach, the infant is at a higher risk of dying from SIDS. Because the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown and there is no way of predicting which infants are at a higher risk, it is important to eliminate the risk factors that can be controlled. These factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, tummy sleeping and other unsafe sleep practices. What are the SIDS Risk Factors?
What can I do to Reduce the Risk of SIDS?
Back to Sleep CampaignIt is important to remember there is no way to prevent SIDS. However, we do know babies sleep safer when placed on a firm surface on their back. The Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994 to help inform parents and caregivers of the importance of back sleeping. Since the introduction of the Back to Sleep Campaign, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by more than 50 percent nationwide. The campaign has since expanded to the Safe to Sleep Campaign to include recommendations for parents and caregivers on ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and to reduce the risk of other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation. For more information on the Safe to Sleep Campaign, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website at www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/Pages/sids.aspx American Academy of Pediatrics 2011 SIDS Policy RecommendationsIn 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its policy statement regarding SIDS based on recent research studies. Recommendations now include:
For more information on the American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Policy Recommendations, visit www.healthychildren.org/English/news/pages/AAP-Expands-Guidelines-for-Infant-Sleep-Safety-and-SIDS-Risk-Reduction.aspx SIDS and Bed-SharingAccording to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bed-sharing is not recommended. Bed-sharing has not been found to be protective against SIDS, and bed-sharing increases the risk of accidental suffocation and overlay. However, room sharing may be protective against SIDS. Placing the baby in a safety approved crib or bassinet near the adult bed will allow parents to remain close to the baby while providing a safe sleep environment. Can Vaccinations Cause SIDS?Recent studies conclude routine vaccinations are not risk factors for SIDS. Because vaccinations typically begin at age 2-to-4 months, the peak age for SIDS, many people have associated vaccinations with the increased risk of SIDS. The association of vaccinations and SIDS has been studied for several years, and reports conclude routine vaccinations do not contribute to SIDS. In fact, infants who have been vaccinated have a decreased risk of SIDS. Which of the following is a high risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome SIDS )?Babies might have a higher risk of SIDS if: their mother smoked, drank, or used drugs during pregnancy and after birth. their mother had poor prenatal care. they were born prematurely or at a low birth weight.
Which is at the highest risk of SIDS?The peak incidence of SIDS occurs between 1 – 4 months of age; 90% of cases occur before 6 months of age. Babies continue to be at risk for SIDS up to 12 months.
What are the 4 factors that are associated with SIDS?The potential factors that contribute to the occurrence of SIDS include inadequate prenatal care, low birth weight (<2499gr), premature infants, intrauterine growth delay, short interval between pregnancies and maternal substance use (tobacco, alcohol, opiates).
What are 3 causes of SIDS?This vulnerability may be caused by being born prematurely or having a low birthweight, or because of other reasons that have not been identified yet. Environmental stresses could include tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding, a minor illness or a breathing obstruction.
|