sudden infant death syndrome

The term sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) refers to the sudden death of a baby who is less than 1 year old.  Authorities always conduct a formal investigation when a child dies, including a complete autopsy and medical records review.  This helps rule out other possible factors, such as abuse, accidents, or undiagnosed health issues.  Once completed, if the investigation concludes that the death is unexplained, authorities list SIDS as the cause.

sudden infant death syndrome facts

SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies between the ages of one month to one year, but the majority of deaths from SIDS occur in infants between the ages of 2 to 4 months of age.  SIDS occurs across all socio-economic lines and in all races, although some races and ethnicities seem more prone to it.  Also known as crib death, the exact cause of SIDS continues to elude researchers.  Researchers and pediatricians believe that a deadly combination of several risk factors cause certain at-risk babies to die in this manner.  Some of the characteristics of at-risk infants include:

• Male and African American or Native American
• Mother used recreational drugs, smoked, or consumed alcohol during pregnancy
• Premature birth
• Low birth weight
• Exposure to tobacco smoke after birth
• Lack of adequate prenatal care
• Mother under 20 years old
• Excessive warm clothing or bedding
• Sleeping on the stomach
• Keep all well baby visits with your pediatric doctor

sudden infant death syndrome prevention

1. Sleeping position of the baby
Supine position is considered ideal for babies since sleeping on sideways is not very safe for baby health. Sleeping with sideways effects stomach of child thereby increases possibility of SIDS.  Child should be allowed to sleep on side only after 1 year time when he is bigger and safe.

2. Healthy environment with no smoke
One more important way to avoid sudden infant death is to keep the child much away from oneself while smoking. and take care after smoking that the child by no means is exposed to the cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is considered a great trigger in the SIDS occurrence.

3. Careful use of baby accessories
Material of baby cloths and blankets should be chosen very carefully since baby tends to take them in mouth. Its more appropriate to use warm clothing over heavy blankets since their hands movement can get blanket above their face making them face problem in breathing which can trigger SIDs to a great extend.

4. Maintained temperature
Over heating is too much dangerous for a child. In the winter season it is common that a child is over burdened with cloths and blankets to avoid him from cold. But instead it is required that a comfortable and warm environment is maintained. Heating causes sweating, rashes, breathing problems, restlessness, damp hair and at times fever.

5. Good ventilation
Well air circulated rooms are required for an infant so that the baby face no problems in breathing adequately. Fan also helps in maintaining good ventilation and can be used in rooms with not so good ventilation even when it’s cold.

6. Prevent infection in babies
People with any kind of infectious infection should stay much away from infant since he is delicate and easy pray to catch infections. Hands should be washed properly before getting them close to baby. Gastrointestinal infection and respiratory conjunction are  among very common reason of SIDS occurrence in babies.

sudden infant death syndrome causes
A 2010 study, conducted by David P. Phillips of the University of California, concluded that New Year’s Day brings with it a 33 percent spike in SIDS deaths.  The study, published in the academic journal Addiction, found a correlation between this spike in SIDS cases and heavy drinking the night before.

So you should be careful with sudden infant death syndrome and always take a good care of your baby.