Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Sudden infant death syndrome (crib death) continues to be a phenomenon of indefinite cause and, despite significant reduction in rates over the past few years, still is liable for more child deaths than any other cause of infancy deaths beyond neonatal period. There has been a number of discourses concerning the rightful definition of this syndrome, but the present most accepted definition is as follows The unexpected, sudden or unanticipated death of a child under the age of 1 year that remains mysterious following a meticulous case investigation, comprising performance of complete autopsy, assessment of death scene and review of patients clinical history. SIDS occurrence is very rare in the first and sixth months of life, augments to a peak between second months and fourth months, and later decreases.

The noteworthy decrease in the prevalence of SIDS has been associated with educational campaigns regarding the value of placing children to sleep on their backs. However, it still remains the leading source of death for children within the first year of life in many countries. In past years, studies carried out have ruled out several possible causes of SIDS, including vomiting or chocking, infection, suffocation, and birth defects.

Unerringly why sudden infant death syndrome takes places remains indefinable, but various experts suppose that multiple factors are involved. For instance, it is possible that a child must encompass some kind of biological vulnerability like brain or heart defect, amalgamated with external stressor, such stomach sleeping and be in a critical developmental stage prior to SIDS occurrence. It is as well alleged that the mothers behavior and health during pregnancy as well play indispensable role in this dreadfully childhood syndrome. The three factors of critical developmental phase, biological vulnerability and external stressor, combined within the first six months of a childs life form whats referred to as the triple risk model for SIDS.

Researches have provided predictions as to what may and may not be the root cause of crib syndrome. It has been discovered that abnormalities in a brain part that assists control arousal and breathing possibly play a major role in SIDS. Babies who die of this syndrome may have brainstems which mature much more slowly than those of other babies. In addition, it has been noted that a fatty substance (myelin) concerned with nerve signal transmission, as well may mature more slowly in babies with crib death. That said researchers carry on with studies to examine the correlation between a long QT syndrome (a slight electrical disturbance within the heart, which results in abrupt and rapid heart rates) and SIDS. A research established that almost 1 out of 10 infants who died of SIDS had a genetic defect in 1 of the genes liable for long QT syndrome. This disclosure implies that SIDS can be genetically caused and therefore an infant from a family with SIDS history need to be checked for the existence of long QT syndrome. The syndrome can be identified by use of electrocardiogram and confirmed, if need be, with extra genetic studies.

Though crib death can occur in any baby, recent researches have identified various risk factors which may perhaps escalate a babys risk. At higher risk of this syndrome, are infants who are
Male, it has been found that boy infants are more probable to pass on of SIDS than girl infants.

Between one and six months of age, babies are most susceptible in the 2 and 3 months of their life.

Low birth weight or premature, infants are more vulnerable to crib death if they have low birth weight or born premature.

Stomach sleeping, cultural disparities in infant care practices, such as whether infants are to be positioned to sleep on their stomach or backs may be a considerable factor. Infants sleeping on their stomachs are more likely to die of SIDS as compared to those sleeping on their backs.

Born to mothers who use drugs or smoke, cigarettes smoking during or following pregnancy exposes an infant at a higher risk of SIDS. Using hard substances, such as methodone, heroin or cocaine while pregnant as well increases the risk.  

Overheated, some proof suggest that infants who are covered with numerous blankets, overdressed or whose rooms are excessively warm are at a great risk of SIDS, especially if they are positioned to sleep on their stomachs.

That aside, there is no assured way to curb SIDS, but one can assist the infant to sleep safely. Suggestions from American Academy of Pediatricians and Center for Disease Control comprise the following Infants should sleep on their backs. Moreover, these two medical bodies further suggest that if an infant is used to sleeping on the back, it is imperative to shun placing him or her to stomach position. One should not take it for granted that other people will assist place his or her infant in the correct sleeping position. Advice must be given to the child care personnel as well as baby sitters not to opt for the stomach position when calming an upset infant. Further, use of a compact mattress, rather than a beanbag or waterbed is recommended as one measure of curbing crib death. Placing a baby on thick, fluffy padding like a thick quilt or lambskin may interfere with breathing process if an infants face presses against such bedding materials. Just to lessen the risk of SIDS to infants its recommended not to leave fluffy toys, stuffed animals or pillows in the cribs of an infant.

Crib death as earlier said, is still responsible for significant number of unanticipated infant deaths in several countries. While various theories continue to contravene each other concerning the real cause of the syndrome and the most applicable preventive measures, its more and more clear that crib death results from the multifaceted interaction of a number of idiosyncratic and heritable endogenous factors interrelating with exogenous factors. These factors have been pleasingly summarized in triple risk model and include biological vulnerability, critical developmental period and external stressors. Contradictions, controversies and lack of consistencies in SIDS literature have arisen from capricious applications of analytical criteria, inconsistent utilization of definitions and dissimilar autopsy approaches. My considered opinion supports the triple risk model as a probable cause of crib death and that any measure to curb the syndrome should be based on the factors in this model. Furthermore, regardless of the inconsistencies and contradictions surrounding crib death, it ought to be understood that SIDS is a fatal and thus, any attempt toward curbing it should be take serious. Suggestions from AAP and CDC, as much as they are unfamiliar to some people they are very essential, vital and substantial in preventing the occurrence of crib death in our children, therefore we must embrace them to further reduce the rate of infancy deaths.

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