S.I.D.S. Suddent Infant Death Syndrome

Many know the term, but few know the facts surrounding SIDS. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome dates back thousands of years yet even with modern science there is little we know about its cause, treatment or prevention. With so few conclusive medical facts, it can be easy to lose hope for a cure to this killer which has claimed the lives of 150,000 children in the United States in this generation alone. One possitive thing we can do is increase our knowlege-base of this silent killer. It's important to be aware of the facts, misconceptions and theoreticle causes of SIDS if we expect to eventually put an end to it.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a medical term that describes the sudden death of an infant which remains unexplained even after all possible causes have been ruled out. SIDS takes more lives than any other cause of death in children between the ages of one month and six months. In fact, SIDS clailms more chldren's lives in a year than do cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined. SIDS claims 7,000 children each year. It strikes unexpectedly and without bias. It's victims come from every race, gender and environment. There is no way to predict if a baby will succum to SIDS and there is no known treatment to help avoid it. There are however several theories as to what causes SIDS deaths:

1. stress in a normal baby caused by infection or other factors
2. a birth defect
3. failure to develop and/or
4. a critical period when all babies are especially vulnerable, such as a time of rapid growth.

SIDS is a mysterious killer. What little we know through science isn't enough to stop SIDS yet, but we're on our way to finding its cause and cure. Several studies have been launched to learn how and why SIDS occurs. Scientists are exploring several theories and examining every possibility such as the development and function of the nervous system, the brain, the heart, breathing and sleep patterns, body chemical balances, autopsy findings, and environmental factors. Scientists say it is highly likely that we will find SIDS to have several different causes.

With every mystery mankind has ever encountered, there has been at least one constant, that knowledge is the key to the door that leads to enlightenment. Therefor, knowledge is the first step toward a cure for SIDS. Let's examine a few facts and theories you may or may not know regarding SIDS. Through knowledge, let us shed light on the mystery of SIDS.

Can SIDS be prevented

No. Not yet. However, recent studies have started to isolate several factors which, may play a role in some cases of SIDS deaths. Risk factors by themselves do not cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but can have a negative effect on infant well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that healthy infants sleep on their backs or sides to reduce the risk for SIDS. Specifically:

1. A supine position, where an infant is completely on his/her back, carries the lowest risk of SIDS. Side sleeping also lowers the risk of potentially life-threatening breathing problems, and is a "reasonable alternative" to stomach-down sleeping.
2. Infants should not have soft surfaces or pillows while sleeping, which have the potential to trap air.
3. The sleeping position recommendation is for healthy infants. Some pediatricians may recommend that babies with certain medical problems or birth defects need to sleep in the prone, or face-down position.
4. The recommendation is intended for sleeping infants. Indeed, a certain amount of time spent in the stomach-down position is recommended for infants who are awake and being watched.

The side position has in general been considered less effective than supine because it is less stable, and some infants rolling from the side will end up sleeping prone. Although side appears to be much better than prone, it is not as effective as supine sleeping.

Stop smoking around the baby.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has long been associated with women who smoke during pregnancy. A recent study by the National Center for Health Statistics demonstrates that women who quit smoking but then resume smoking after delivery put their babies at risk for SIDS too. Findings from the survey show that babies exposed to smoke only after birth were twice as likely to die from SIDS as those whose mothers did not smoke at all. Constant smoke exposure both during and after pregnancy tripled a baby's risk for SIDS.

Use firm bedding materials.

In response to recent research, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a series of advisories for parents on the hazards posed to infants sleeping on beanbag cushions, sheepskins, foam pads, foam sofa cushions, synthetic filled adult pillows and foam pads covered with comforters. Waterbeds should also be avoided. Parents are advised to use a firm, flat mattress in a safety approved crib for their baby's sleep.

Avoid overheating, especially when your baby is ill.

SIDS has been associated with the presence of colds and infections, although colds are not more common among babies who die of SIDS than babies in general. Now, research findings indicate that overheating - too much clothing, too heavy bedding, and too warm a room - may greatly increase the risk of SIDS for a baby with a cold or infection. Signs that your baby may be overheated include sweating, damp hair, heat rash, rapid breathing, restlessness, and sometimes fever. To help your baby regulate his or her temperature, some pediatricians recommend maintaining consistent indoor temperatures of 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and dressing your baby in as much or as little as you would wear.

If possible, breast-feed your baby.

Studies by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) show that babies who died of SIDS were less likely to be breast-fed. Potential advantages to breast-feeding your baby include prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory illness, infections and certain immunologic disorders.

Other important factors.

Statistics tell us that seasonality (i.e. the cold weather months), maternal age (i.e. the younger the mother, the greater the risk), and baby's sex (i.e. boys are at higher risk than girls, yet both sexes can be at risk) are among the factors which must be considered. Baby's age is another risk factor. SIDS occurs most frequently in infants two to four months old; nearly 90% of the babies who die of SIDS are under six months of age. We also know that there is a higher incidence of SIDS for premature and low-birthweight infants, twins and triplets.

What we know about SIDS thus far is a solid start. If you are a new parent, you may already be more at ease now knowing a bit more about SIDS. We hope the facts we've provided will give you peace of mind in knowing a little about SIDS and thus being better able to take steps to try to prevent it from taking the life of another child. Further, It can not be stressed enough, maintaining good prenatal care and constant communication with your baby's doctor about changes in your baby's behavior and health are of the utmost importance in preventing any illness including SIDS.