What You Need to Know About SIDS to Keep Your Baby Safe

What is SIDS and why should parents worry?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the “sudden death” of an infant below 1 year due to unexplained causes. Usually, babies diagnosed with SIDS seemed perfectly healthy prior to their death.

 Parents should be concerned because there is no way to detect SIDS in infants, making it a terrifying condition.

What causes SIDS?

Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer here. After years of research and numerous studies, the cause of SIDS is still unknown. But it does not mean there is a lack of theories on why it occurs.

According to eMedicalHealth.com, a leading theory is that SIDS may be caused by a developmental delay in an infant’s brain. Specifically, in the formation of neurotransmitters that are necessary for regulating the body’s breathing, heart-rate and blood pressure.

The research was conducted by examining brain stems from babies who suffered from SIDS.

The developmental delay also affects an infant’s arousal response or his ability to wake up. This is important because when an infant is asleep, his airway may be obstructed by either:

• External causes such as a pillow, blanket or any other object in his/her sleep area.
• Internal causes such as saliva or mucus

Therefore, the infant must be able to wake and adjust himself to resume breathing.

If the cause (or causes) for SIDS is unknown, can it still be prevented?

According to eMedicalHealth.com, it can’t be prevented. This makes sense to me because if we can’t determine the cause of something, how can preventative measures be in place? However, this doesn’t mean we are just going to throw our arms up in the air and do nothing.

Various studies through the years show that there are associated risk factors linked to SIDS. What does this mean? It is possible to reduce its occurrence.

Associated risk factors

• Sleeping on tummies. This increases the risk of suffocation, especially for infants who experience developmental delays in the formation of neurotransmitters.
• Co-sleeping with parents.
• Born to young mothers who are below 20
• Reduced breastfeeding
• Lack of infant immunization
• Lack of pre-natal care
• Siblings who have had SIDS
• Exposure to second-hand smoke before and after birth
• Mothers involved with illegal drug use during pregnancy

Reducing the risk of SIDS

Based on the leading theory for SIDS and associated risk factors, the following tips can decrease the occurrence of sudden deaths in infants:

• Letting infants sleep on their backs.
• Letting infants sleep in their cribs (to avoid unintentional smothering by an adult).
• Removing any potential objects that can suffocate an infant during his/her sleep.
• Providing complete immunization. Research has shown a 50% decrease in risk for infants who are immunized
• Ensuring adequate pre-natal care.
• Providing breast milk. A study has shown that breastfeeding exclusively during the 1st month reduces the risk of SIDS by 50%.
• Staying away from second-hand smoke before and after birth.

For additional reading, go to:
Wikipeadia
PubMed Health
Baby Center

Photo: Creative Commons from Jon Ovington

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