The Truth About SIDS

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).

Facts about SIDS:

What SIDS is:

The major cause of death in infants from 1 month to 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months Sudden and silent - the infant was seemingly healthy Currently, unpredictable and unpreventable Determined only after an autopsy, an examination of the death scene, and a review of the clinical history Designated as a diagnosis of exclusion A recognized medical disorder listed in the International Classification of Diseases, ( 9th Revision) An infant death that leaves unanswered questions, causing intense grief for parents and families.

What SIDS is not:

Caused by vomiting and choking, or minor illnesses such as colds or infections Caused by immunizations Contagious Child abuse The cause of every unexpected infant death * SIDS is not caused by a lack of love. * SIDS is not caused by suffocation, vomiting or choking. * SIDS is not caused by baby shots. * SIDS is not caused by child abuse. * Preventable * SIDS victims cannot be revived, if they are revived, it is not SIDS, it is an ALTE

While SIDS is not preventable, there are things families can do to reduce their risks:

•  Place infants to sleep on their backs, even though they may sleep more soundly on their stomachs.  Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have a much higher rate of SIDS than infants who sleep on their backs.  This includes nap time, and when you are “right there,” SIDS happens in an instant and in cases of SIDS, babies cannot be revived.

• Place infants to sleep in a baby bed with a firm mattress.  There should be nothing in the bed but the baby - no covers, no pillows, no bumper pads, no positioning devices and no toys.  Soft mattresses and heavy covering are associated with the risk for SIDS.

• Keep your baby’s crib in the parents’ room until the infant is at least 6 months of age.  Studies clearly show that infants are safest when their beds are close to their mothers.

• Do not place your baby to sleep in an adult bed.  Typical adult beds are not safe for babies.  Do not fall asleep with your baby on a couch or in a chair.

• Do not over-clothe the infant while s/he sleeps.  Just use enough clothes to keep the baby warm without having to use cover.  Keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for you.  Overheating an infant may increase the risk for SIDS.

• Avoid exposing the infant to tobacco smoke, including 2nd and 3rd hand smoke.  Don’t have your infant in the same house or car with someone who is smoking.  The greater the exposure to tobacco smoke, including second and third hand, the greater the risk of SIDS.

•  Breast-feed babies whenever possible.  Breast milk decreases the occurrence of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.  Studies show that breast-fed babies have a lower SIDS rate than formula-fed babies do.

• Avoid exposing the infant to people with respiratory infections.  Avoid crowds.  Carefully clean anything that comes in contact with the baby.  Have people wash their hands before holding or playing with your baby.  SIDS often occurs in association with relatively minor respiratory (mild cold) and gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea).

• Offer your baby a pacifier.  Some studies have shown a lower rate of SIDS among babies who use pacifiers.

• If your baby has periods of not breathing, going limp or turning blue, tell your pediatrician at once.

•  If your baby stops breathing or gags excessively after spitting up, discuss this with your pediatrician immediately.

As Samantha enters the age where most SIDS cases occur, we will be extra diligent in preventing this awful tragedy in any way we can.