What you Need to Know about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

By definition, SIDS is the unexpected, sudden death of a child under age 1 in which an autopsy does not show an explainable cause of death. There are no symptoms, and as the name implies, it occurs suddenly. Even up to the present time, the cause of SIDS is still not identified. There are many theories about it, but the general idea is that there is no single factor that contributes to SIDS.

This phenomenon usually occurs between the ages of 1 month to 1 year old, with the highest incidence within the 2-4 months age group.

While the cause is unknown, there have been some risk factors identified with SIDS:
•    smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy
•    poor prenatal care
•    prematurity or low birth-weight
•    mothers younger than 20
•    tobacco smoke exposure following birth
•    overheating from excessive sleepwear and bedding
•    stomach sleeping

The American Academy of Pediatrics has reviewed much of the research regarding SIDS and has come up with the following guidelines for parents, caregivers and medical practitioners that may help in the prevention of this syndrome:

“Back to sleep.” Always put a baby to sleep on his back. (This includes naps.) DO NOT put a baby to sleep on its stomach. Side sleeping is unstable and should also be avoided. Allowing the baby to roll around on its tummy while awake can prevent a flat spot (due to sleeping in one position) from forming on the back of the head.

 

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Let babies sleep in the same room (NOT the same bed) as parents. If possible, baby’s cribs should be placed in the parents' bedroom to allow for night-time feeding. By allowing baby to sleep in the same room, parents could easily hear if there is anything wrong with the baby. Allowing baby to sleep in the crib, instead of the parents’ bed prevents accidental smothering by a hand, an arm, or even a breast.  


Only put babies to sleep in a crib. NEVER allow the baby to sleep in bed with other children or adults, and do NOT put them to sleep on surfaces other than cribs, like a sofa. Other children or even adults may accidentally cover baby’s mouth and nose. Soft surfaces may accidentally bury baby’s face into the cushion. The soft surface could create an enclosure around baby’s nose and mouth, which could lead to suffocation. Examples of these include soft mattresses or beddings, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face.


Avoid soft bedding materials. Babies should be placed on a firm, tight-fitting crib mattress with no comforter to avoid the soft sheet fluffing up. Use a light sheet to cover the baby. Do not use pillows, comforters, or quilts.


Do not use breathing monitors or products marketed as ways to reduce SIDS risk. In the past, home breathing monitors were recommended for families with a history of the condition. But research found that they had no effect, and the use of home monitors has largely stopped.


Make sure the room temperature is not too hot. The room temperature should be comfortable for a lightly-clothed adult. A baby should not be hot to the touch.


Breastfeed your baby, if possible. Breastfeeding reduces some upper respiratory infections that may influence the development of SIDS. Breastfeeding also allows the mother to be in close watch over the baby for longer periods of time as compared to bottle feeding the babies.  

 

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Keep your baby in a smoke-free environment. Research has shown that babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy or after the baby is born have increased risk for SIDS.


NEVER give honey to a child less than 1 year old. Honey in very young children may cause infant botulism, which may be associated with SIDS. Honey is a natural and unprocessed food that may contain bacteria that cause botulism.  

Though the cause of SIDS remains unknown, it is still wise to follow these guidelines in the hopes of preventing the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. As the saying goes, “ An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”


Sources:
American Academy of Pediatrics Publications:
1.    Hauck, Thompson, Tanabe, Moon, Vennemann. “Breastfeeding and Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis” pediatrics.aapublications.org
2.    “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)” kidshealth.org
3.    “The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts, Controversies Regarding the Sleeping Environment, and New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk” aapolicy.aapublications.org


Photo by cscott2006 via flickr creative commons < http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott06/5503598812/ >