p>SIDS, which stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is the death of an infant who is under 12 months old that occurs without warning or symptoms.
Although SIDS rates have dropped sharply since 1992, tragically, it is the number one cause of death for babies who are under a year old, especially those between 2 and 4 months of age. SIDS affects boys more than girls and most cases occur during the winter.
SIDS is usually diagnosed after a thorough case investigation has ruled out all other possibilities. In most SIDS cases, parents check on their child, only to find them, unexpectedly, lifeless.
While the cause of SIDS remains unknown, experts believe that certain behaviors can increase the risk.
Pediatric Critical Care of South Florida (PCCSF) recommends that parents and caregivers keep the following guidelines in mind in order to reduce the risks associated with SIDS:
- Reducing the risk of SIDS starts before a baby’s arrival. Premature birth is a major risk factor for SIDS. It is important that pregnant women seek medical care as early in their pregnancies as possible, preferably within the first trimester, and then at regular intervals throughout their pregnancy
- SIDS is highest among infants born to teenage mothers. SIDS decreases as the age of the mother increases. Also, the shorter the time between pregnancies, the higher the SIDS rate
- Infants who sleep on their stomachs and sides have higher rates of SIDS. Parents and caregivers should always place a baby in a crib, on their backs on a firm mattress without excessive clothing, pillows, bumpers, or toys. Babies should never sleep in an adult bed and an infant’s crib should be as close as possible to a parent’s room
- It is recommended that babies be breastfed whenever possible, studies have shown that babies who have been breastfed experience a lower rate of SIDS
- Infants should never be exposed to tobacco smoke, or to people with respiratory infections, mild colds, or gastrointestinal infections, such as vomiting and diarrhea
- Experts believe that pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS because they may allow an infant’s airways to open further, or the pacifier prevents them from going into a deep sleep
To learn more about SIDS, please visit the following websites:
National SIDS Resource Center: http://www.sidscenter.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/sids/