SIDS Introduction

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the leading cause of death for infants 1 to 12 months. SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant that cannot be explained. Risk Factors for SIDS from the CDC

• Tummy or side sleeping
• Soft sleep surfaces
• Loose bedding
• Overheating
• Smoking
• Bed sharing
• Preterm and low birth weight

SIDS Statistics from http://www.sleep-baby-sleep.com/

• SIDS is responsible for roughly 50 deaths per 100,000 births in the US.
  
• SIDS most commonly occurs between the ages of 1 and 4 months
• SIDS becomes the leading cause of death in otherwise healthy babies after one month of age.
• Sudden infant death rate is at an all time low. Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent.
• There are about 2,500 deaths per year in the United States, and thousands more throughout the world.

There is no available treatment for SIDS, only prevention.

SIDS Questions and Answers

1. What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history (Willinger et al., 1991).
2. What are the most common characteristics of SIDS?
SIDS is unexpected and occurs suddenly, usually during sleep. It is most common to occur between 2 to 4 months. SIDS occurs more often in boys then girls, and is more common in fall and winter then spring and summer.
3. How many babies die from SIDS?
Each year between 1983 and 1992 the average number of reported SIDS deaths range from 5,000 to 6,000. Since those years there is a decline, in 2002 the deaths decline to 2,295 a year.
4. Are there ways to reduce the risk of SIDS?
There is no way to prevent SIDS but it can be reduced. Mothers health and behavior can be an influence on the infant, as well as environmental and behavioral factors.
5. What does current research indicate about SIDS?
Scientists theorize that some babies at risk for SIDS have defects in those parts of the nervous system that control breathing and heart rate. Maturation of the brainstem may be delayed in SIDS infants.
6. What is SIDS not caused by?
Suffocation, vomiting and choking, minor illnesses such as colds or infection, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccines or other immunizations. It is not contagious, produced by child neglect or abuse, or the cause of every unexpected infant death.
7. How do health professionals diagnose a SIDS death?
SIDS is a diagnosis of "exclusion", after all other alternatives have been eliminated. Medical and legal experts rely on (1) a thorough death scene investigations, (2) autopsy, (3) review of infant's and family's medical records and histories.
8. What are safe places for babies to be put to sleep in?
Cribs, bassinets, portable cribs and other bedding which is approved by the doctor. It is also important to have safe mattresses which is firm and clean.
9. What is safe sleeping environment for a baby?
A safe sleeping environment means that all potential dangers have been removed and the baby is sleeping in a safe place. It should be free of dangling cords and strings, heaters and electrical appliances.
10. Is it safe to wrap/swaddle my baby?
Swaddling the baby can be beneficial because it helps the baby to stay on his or her back and reduces the crying time an help babies sleep better. Swaddling should be done properly.

More information at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota and SIDS and KIDS.

Infections Linked to SIDS

British researches say they found another contributing factor to SIDS, which is bacteria. They found potentially dangerous bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in nearly half of all babies who died suddenly and without explanation over a decade at a London hospital. Their findings are in Friday’s Lancet medical journal. (Fox News)
Even though the bacteria was found in half the babies, that does not mean that it was solely responsible for the death. After the baby is about 8 to 10 weeks old, the maternal antibodies are almost gone, and that makes the babies more susceptible to infection. The combination of the bacteria with other factors could be what actually causes death. Full article at Health News.

Patterns in Infant Mortality

I found these patterns in SIDS at www.sids-pa.org, and also the CDC.

• In 2001 rates ranged from 3.2 per 1,000 live births for Chinese mothers to 13.3 for black mothers.

• Between 1995 and 2001 the overall infant mortality rate declined by 10.5 percent, but rates were down 9 percent for black infants and 14 percent for infants of Hispanic mothers

• Infant mortality rates were higher for infants whose mothers had no prenatal care, were teenagers, had less education, were unmarried, or smoked during pregnancy.

• Infant mortality rates are higher for infants of women who were born in the United States, compared with women born outside the United States.

• Infant mortality rates are higher for male infants, multiple births, and infants born preterm or at low birthweight.

• Infant mortality rates also varied greatly by State. Rates are generally higher for States in the South and lowest for States in the West and Northeast. Infant mortality rates among States ranged from 10.4 for Mississippi to 4.9 for Massachusetts.

Recommedations for Preventing SIDS

Here are some recommendations on prevention of SIDS from About.com.

• Check the Baby's Crib- make sure the mattress if covered with fitted sheet, do not use pillow in the crib, remove any soft or fluffy bedding or toys.Thick cloth bumpers of any material that restricts airflow in the crib is not recommended.
  
• Dress the Baby in Light Clothing- always place the baby on her back and make sure the baby's head and face are uncovered during sleep. Dress the baby in light clothing so that he/she does not overheat, sleep sacks are a safe and comfortable way to dress the baby.
• Keep the Room at Moderate Temperature- keep the temperature at a moderate setting that is comfortable for you, and watch for any signs of sweating or overheating of the baby.
• Give the Baby a Pacifier- studies have shown that pacifier use is linked to a reduction in SIDS. Do not force your baby to take the pacifier but offer it gently.
• Put the Baby to Sleep on Her Back- put the baby to sleep on her back, and make sure to maintain a smoke-free environment.

More information can be found at Parenhood.com

SIDS and Genetic Variations

I found this article in Science Daily News, nearly 10 percent of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) victims have mutations or variations in genes associated with potentially lethal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), according to two newly published studies involving Vanderbilt researchers. Though there are many risk factors associated with SIDS, and there are many campaigns and programs out there to decrease the risk factors, SIDS is still the leading cause of infant mortality in developing countries, and the underlying cause is unclear.
A popular theory proposes that SIDS occurs because of a combination of risks including abnormal physiological state, environmental factors and developmental vulnerabilities. Genetic factors have also been proposed to be important. I think it is is so important not only have research done on the environmental factors such tobacco smoke, and physical factors such as sleeping positions, but also on the genetic level. For more information on this study visit the Mayo Clinic online.

Help For Grieving Parents

Parental grief is boundless. It touches every aspect of [a] parent's being...When a child dies; parents grieve for the rest of their lives. Their grief becomes part of them...As time passes, parents come to appreciate that grief is [their] link to the child, [their] grief keeps [them] connected to the child. - ARNOLD AND GEMMA, IN CORR ET AL. 1996, 50-51

I think it is so important to provide information and support to the actual parents who experienced SIDS. You cannot always find people around you who are in the same situation as you are, especially with such sensitive subjects as SIDS. Siblings are also influenced by the tragedy SIDS has on their family, especially young children who are developing.

There are many places a parent could turn for support and help after experiencing a loss. Fortunately there resources online and support groups that can be reached from anywhere, anytime. Some of the organizations are:

www.cjsids.com CJ Foundation for SIDS, on this website there is information for coping with loss, remembering a child, and ways of giving. Mother can post there stories, and leave a picture of their beloved child.

Facebook.com also have many different groups on SIDS prevention and education, as well as support and the ability to connect with other parents.