Sudden infant death syndrome

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, also known as SIDS, is defined as the sudden death of an infant under the age of 1 year. If the child’s death remains unexplained after an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, which includes performing an autopsy, examining the child’s clinical history, then the cause of death is given to the EMS. Sudden infant death is a tragic event for any parent.

SIDS is suspected when previously healthy-appearing infants, usually less than 6 months old, are found lifeless in bed. In most cases, there are no signs and no distress can be identified that the baby experienced before its death. The child usually ate normally before being put to bed to sleep.

The child is then found lifeless, without a pulse or breathing. CPR can be started on the spot, but research shows that it is almost always unsuccessful. The cause of death remains unknown, despite a detailed examination of the child’s clinical history and an autopsy.

SSI rarely occurs in the first month of a child’s life. The risk increases during the 2nd to 4th month of the child’s life and then decreases.

About 90% of SIDS deaths occur in babies under 6 months of age.

Although the exact cause or causes remain unknown, thanks to ongoing scientific research, we know the following about this syndrome:

• Apnoea /stopping of breathing/ in prematurity and apnea in very early childhood are clinical conditions that must be distinguished from SADS. Babies with apnea can be monitored using electronic monitors, which are recommended by doctors to track heart rate and breathing activity. But these measures cannot be a prevention against sudden infant death.
• Babies can sporadically fall into conditions that threaten their lives. These are conditions in which the babies’ breathing, heart rate and skin color suddenly change. The most common reasons for falling into such conditions are – a viral infection of the respiratory tract, gastroesophageal reflux disease or convulsions. However, there is no solid scientific evidence that these life-threatening conditions for the baby can lead to SID.
• SID is not caused by immunizations or inadequate parental care;
• SID is not contagious. or hereditary;
• Sudden death is not anyone’s fault.

Can we prevent it?

There is currently no way to predict which children are at risk of SIDS. But SIDS is associated with certain risk factors. Therefore, removing or preventing these risk factors will protect many infants from sudden death.

Baby’s position when sleeping and where he sleeps – you should make all babysitters, grandparents and anyone looking after your baby aware of the risk of SIDS and how important it is to follow the advice described above below:

• You should put the baby to sleep on his back at night as well as when he sleeps during the day;
• You should avoid putting the baby to sleep in fluffy bedding. Above all, you should be careful with the blankets you wrap your child with.
• The baby’s face should be free and nothing should be placed on it under any circumstances;
• Be careful don’t overheat your child by swaddling or swaddling them excessively;
• Don’t let anyone smoke around your child.