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Aug 07, 2006
SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
by SirGan
 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a specific condition which is characterized by the sudden death of an infant which remains unexplained after all known and possible causes have been carefully ruled out. These other possible causes are investigated through:
The fact is also that most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep, and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering. Researches showed that most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather. There is a common belief that marital breakup always follows the death of a baby, but this hasn’t been supported by experience or research. Like any sudden death, a SIDS death leaves a family with a sense of shock and loss and an urgent need to understand what happened. Some of the usual emotions felt by parents include guilt, anger, fear, blame and despair.
Incidence of the conditionAlthough not too many people consider this disorder to be something serious- SIDS is responsible for more deaths than any other cause in childhood for babies one month to one year of age. Some researches show that about 150,000 victims in the United States in this generation alone - 7,000 babies each year are taken away by this syndrome.
This literally means -nearly one baby every hour of every day. Big problem is that no one can predict where it will strike because - it strikes families of all races, ethnic and socioeconomic origins without warning. In fact, most SIDS victims appear healthy prior to death. Another little known fact is that more children die of SIDS in one year than those who die of cancer, heart disease, pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy combined during their first 14 years. Experts are saying that African-American infants are twice as likely and Native American infants are about three times more likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian infants. When we talk about sex of babies- the fact is that more boys than girls fall victim to SIDS.
Other potential risk factors include: smoking, drinking, or drug use during pregnancy; poor prenatal care; prematurity or low birth-weight; mothers younger than 20; smoke exposure following birth; overheating from excessive sleepwear and bedding; stomach sleeping and many others…
Maternal risk factors include:
Risk factors
Possible causes of SIDSUnfortunately- the exact cause of SIDS is still unknown! There is mounting evidence that suggests some SIDS babies are born with brain abnormalities that make them vulnerable to sudden death during infancy. Studies of SIDS victims reveal that many SIDS infants have abnormalities in one brain structure called the Arcuate Nucleus. It is the portion of the brain that is involved in control of breathing and waking during sleep. Supposedly- these abnormalities may stem from prenatal exposure to a toxic substance, or lack of a vital compound in the prenatal environment, such as sufficient oxygen.
Genetics also plays a large role. SIDS is more common in boys than in girls, and it is more common in some population groups. Affected infants may have been born with immature brainstems, making it difficult for them to wake up when they are in trouble.
Other possible causes:
What is so special about stomach sleeping?Experts are saying that among many risk factors - stomach sleeping is probably the most important. Numerous studies have found a higher incidence of SIDS among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs or sides. Some experts are saying that stomach sleeping puts pressure on a child's jaw, therefore narrowing the airway and hampering breathing. Nothing of this has been scientifically proven yet! One another group of experts are saying differently! They claim that stomach sleeping can increase an infant's risk of re-inhaling his or her own exhaled air, particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. Logically, when baby breathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and carbon dioxide accumulates.
Is this condition contagious?It is important to remember that SIDS is not believed to be contagious! But several experts are discussing a lot about the now-accepted idea that ulcers could be the cause. These ulcers were often caused by infections with the bacteria called Helicobacter pylori. One study suggests that infection with this same bacterium may also be responsible for many cases of sudden infant death syndrome. Not only that- some researches have found this bacterium in 88 percent of examined children who had died from SIDS.
Differential diagnosis of SIDSMostly because of the lack of facts, people are speculating a lot about this condition. Not so rare, they confuse it with some other condition that strikes little babies. Many old wives tales, superstitions, and just plain stupidity abound about SIDS. From chiropractors claiming stress on the atlas while passing the birth canal to stories about suffocation from the ammonia in urine, SIDS has suffered from the ignorant. Because the causes for SIDS are unknown, parents will often come up with their own explanations for the tragedy and blame themselves. That’s why, it is important to know that SIDS isn't:
There is no doubt- many people have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and apnea has killed infants. In order to detect and diagnose a baby with this condition, an apnea monitor can bi installed when a SIDS victim stops breathing but one thing should be remembered- a SIDS victim is already dead when that happens. For many years these apnea monitors has been installed mainly for a placebo effect on the parents.
There are no signs that could tell a doctor or parent that SIDS will occur!
Infant botulism and SIDS have a similar age of death demographics but the botulism is easily found in an autopsy.
Most children get their immunizations at about four months which coincides with the average age.
SIDS happens to parents of all economic, social, educational, and racial groups.
Many infants get their first runny nose around four months. A SIDS victim can die WITH a cold but not FROM a cold.
Prevention of SIDSCurrently there is no known way to prevent SIDS, but there are things that parents and caregivers can do to reduce the risk of a SIDS death:
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