Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
I wouldn't say that SIDS is necessarily meaningful to me, but I do find myself perplexed by this awful syndrome. SIDS is the unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby of less than a year old (Mayo Clinic, nd). Although the cause is unknown there are several physical and sleep environmental factors that could make an infant more vulnerable (Mayo Clinic, nd). The physical factors are: brain defects, low birth weight, and respiratory infections; sleep environmental factors: sleeping on stomach/side, sleeping on a soft surface, sharing a bed w/parents, overheating; risk factors include: sex, age, race, family history, secondhand smoke, being premature; maternal risk factors include: being younger than 20, smoking cigarettes, using drugs/alcohol, and inadequate prenatal care (Mayo Clinic, nd). Prevention suggested by the May Clinic includes putting baby on their back to sleep, keep crib as bare as possible, don't overheat the baby, have baby sleep in your room (not in your bed), breastfeed if possible, and offer a pacifier. In 2017 about 1,400 infants died due to SIDS in the US (Rakicevic, M., 2020).
In the 1980's New Zealand had the highest rate of SIDS (Cot Death) than any other developed country. The government initiated the National Cot Death Prevention Programme in 1991. Their goal for this program was to reduce the number of SIDS deaths among Caucasians and Maori (native people to New Zealand). The program focused on reducing the number of pregnant women who smoked, to increase breastfeeding, and maintain side and back sleep positions for infants (Centre for Public Impact, 2016). The programme reported that the fall in SIDS mortality rates were dramatic, and have continued to decline (Centre for Public Impact, 2016).
References:
Centre for Public Impact, (2016). New Zealand's National Cot Prevention Programme
New Zealand’s National Cot Death Prevention Programme - Centre for Public Impact (CPI)
Mayo Clinic, (n.d.). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
Rakicevic, M., (2020). 23 SIDS Statistics and Facts Every Parent Should Know.
23 SIDS Statistics and Facts Every Parent Should Know (disturbmenot.co)
I believe SIDS is an important topic if you have infants, have friends or family members that have infants or work in an early childcare center. Supporting parents that have babies and giving the families information to keep them healthy and safe, is extremely important to me. Thank you for sharing this information.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about SIDS. It is definitely one of those incidents that occur which is devastating. I empathize with any family that goes through this. I’m glad that New Zealand was able to implement a program to lower the risk of SIDS occurring in their country.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing info on SIDS. This is a topic that all new and expecting mothers should be aware of, because it is one of the leading causes of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old.
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