BabiesHealthSIDSProtect Your Baby Against SIDS SIDS is deadly and mysterious -- but you can fight back. Here's what your doctor didn't tell you about outsmarting this killer. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Google Plus Text EmailSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexpected death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a complete investigation, including: States, SIDS is the major cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year of age, with most deaths occurring between 2 and 4 months. happens in families of all social, economic and ethnic groups. SIDS is not contagious,SIDS is sudden and silent, occurring most often during sleep, with no signs ofTerms used in the past to describe SIDS include �crib death� or �cot death.� The SIDS rate has dropped dramatically. However, there are approximately 2,500 infants who die of SIDS every year in the U.S., and SIDS is the third leading cause of infant mortality. In 2009, SIDS was responsible for 57 infant deaths in Illinois, compared with 106 infant deaths in 1999.
SIDS occurs more often in males and in African-American and American Indian or Alaskan Native infants. More SIDS deaths occur in the colder months. The cause(s) of SIDS is still unknown. However, it is generally accepted SIDS is a combination of factors orA leading theory is that an infant who appears to be healthy has an underlying defect located in the brainThis area in the brain controls heart and lung functions, including heart rate and breathing. SIDS studies indicate some babies have a delay in the development of or an abnormality in the part of the brain involved in breathing and waking. Babies born with this abnormality may be more vulnerable to sudden death. Other factors also could play a role in SIDS. For example, if an infant with an underlying problem is exposed to other factors or stressors, such as secondhand smoke or sleeping on their stomach, the infant is at a higher risk of dying from SIDS. Because the exact cause of SIDS remains unknown and there is no way of predicting which
infants are at a higher risk, it is important to eliminate the risk factors that can be controlled. include exposure to secondhand smoke, tummy sleeping and other unsafe sleep practices. It is important to remember there is no way to prevent SIDS. However, we do know babies sleep safer when placed on a firm surface on their back. The Back to Sleep Campaign was launched in 1994 to help inform parents and caregivers of the importance of back sleeping. Since the introduction of the Back to Sleep Campaign, the number of SIDS deaths has dropped by more than 50 percent nationwide. The campaign has since expanded to the Safe to Sleep Campaign to include recommendations for parents and caregivers on ways to reduce the risk of SIDS and to reduce the risk of other sleep-related causes of infant death, such as suffocation. For more information on the Safe to Sleep Campaign, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development website at www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/Pages/sids.aspx
In 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) revised its policy statement regarding SIDS based on recent research studies. For more information on the American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Policy Recommendations, According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, bed-sharing is not recommended. Bed-sharing has not been found to be protective against SIDS, and bed-sharing increases the risk of accidental suffocation and overlay. However, room sharing may be protective against SIDS. Placing the baby in a safety approved crib or bassinet near the adult bed will allow parents to remain close to the baby while providing a safe sleep environment. Recent studies conclude routine vaccinations are not risk factors for SIDS. Because vaccinations typically begin at age 2-to-4 months, the peak age for SIDS, many people have associated vaccinations with the increased risk of SIDS. The association of vaccinations and SIDS has been studied for several years, and reports conclude routine vaccinations do not contribute to SIDS.
In fact, infants who have been vaccinated have a decreased risk of SIDS.Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the name given to the sudden and unexplained death of a healthy baby who is put down to sleep and later found dead with no obvious cause. It is the leading cause of death in babies between 1 month and 12 months of age. A higher risk of SIDS is seen in babies 2 to 6 months of age and SIDSoccurs more often in boys than in girls. There is no known cause as to why SIDS happens.How can babies be protected from the risk of SIDS?Even though there is no known cause, there are actions you can take to lower the risk of SIDS: "BACK TO SLEEP." Infants should always be placed on their backs for every sleep and nap. Babies should sleep in their own cribs or bassinets that are within reach of your bed. Bed sharing during sleep is not recommended. Use a firm sleep surface. A firm crib mattress, covered by a sheet, is the recommended sleeping surface. This is called "bare naked crib."
Keep soft objects and loose bedding out of the crib. Pillows, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, crib bumpers, stuffed toys and other soft objects should be kept out of an infant's sleeping environment. If a blanket is used to keep the baby warm, it should be a thin blanket and only cover the baby to the height of the chest. The blanket should be kept below the level of the baby’s arms and tucked into the sides and bottom of the crib mattress to keep secure. Keep your baby away from second-hand smoke. Smoke increases an infant risk of SIDS as well as other health problems. Consider offering a pacifier at nap time and bedtime after your baby is 1 month old. The pacifier should be used when placing the infant down for sleep or a nap and not be reinserted once the infant falls asleep. The infant should be lightly clothed for sleep, and the bedroom temperature should be kept at what would be considered comfortable for a lightly clothed adult. Avoid commercial devices marketed to reduce the risk of SIDS.