Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS) is still the leading cause of death for infants between the ages of 1
month and one year, with the peak incidence between 2 and 4 months. Researchers
are not certain about the biologic reasons for SIDS, but studies have given us
clear ways to decrease the risk of SIDS for our children.
The most important thing parents can do is to always place their infants
on their backs for sleep - nap and nighttime. Since the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommended “Back to Sleep” in 1992, the incidence of SIDS has
decreased over 50%. This is sometimes difficult for parents because
infants sleep better and are less fussy on their tummies. But it is very
important that infants never be allowed to sleep on their tummy, especially
infants who were premature or had a low birth weight. Infants who were
premature or had low birth weight and are allowed to sleep on their tummies have
15 to 24 times more likelihood to have SIDS than term infants.
Having an infant sleep on his back can cause people to worry that the
infant will choke even though that doesn’t happen. There are devices that are
advertised to hold the infant in a “side-sleeping” position, but these have
been associated with an increased risk of SIDS and shouldn’t be used.
Exposure of the developing fetus to drugs, alcohol or cigarette smoke
early in pregnancy increases the risk that the infant will have SIDS as does
exposure to cigarette smoke after birth. The risk of SIDS is increased by a soft
sleep surface like sheep skin, along with loose, soft items in the crib like
blankets, pillows and stuffed animals.
The risk from bumper pads is questionable. Overdressing the infant increases
the risk for SIDS but swaddling does not as long as the infant sleeps on his
back when swaddled.
Sleeping on the parent’s bed or falling asleep in a chair, sofa, car
seat or swing increases the risk of SIDS. This is why the American Academy of
Pediatrics recommends against co-sleeping. There have been many reports of
infants being smothered by the adult they were sleeping with.
Recent studies suggest that using a pacifier for sleep decreases the
risk of SIDS. In a previous article on pacifiers, I said that a child may use a
pacifier at night and naptime for as long as he wants to. If the pacifier
doesn’t leave the crib, your child will never have a pacifier problem.
Breast-feeding also decreases the risk of SIDS.
Some infants have apnea – they have episodes where they stop
breathing. These can be so severe
that they are called “Apparent Life-threatening Events”. However, there is no
good connection between these spells and SIDS. This is one reason why placing
an infant on an apnea monitor does not decrease the risk of SIDS.
There is no correlation between vaccines and SIDS – neither the timing
nor the type nor the number of vaccines.
Breast feed, don’t allow smoking around the baby, always put you infant
on his back to sleep and avoid the plush toys in the crib. Get tummy-time practice when your infant is awake and alert. We
haven’t found a way to prevent SIDS yet, but we certainly know ways to decrease
the risk.
No comments:
Post a Comment