Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the biggest nightmare for every parent. It is the unexpected death of a child, who has been completely he althy so far. What exactly is SIDS? Which children are at particular risk of cot death? Can this tragedy be prevented?

Sudden infant death syndrome( sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of infant mortality. The perception of unexpected infant deaths at home has changed over the years. In the past, most of these cases were explained by the mother being accidentally strangled / crushed by the sleeping mother.

As maternal and child care has improved, there has been a significant reduction in overall infant mortality, as well as a change in the mortality pattern. Neonatal mortality dropped significantly, while cases of sudden cot deaths of infants became more noticeable.

Currently, statistics show that the incidence of SIDS varies between 0.8 to 2 / 1,000 live births.

Cot deathrarely affects newborns in the first week of life. SIDS is at its peak at 2-4 months of age. This is probably related to "developmental sensitivity" to the action of damaging factors. A certain seasonality of occurrence is also observed. More cases are recorded in the cold season. This may be related to the different care of children or the higher incidence of respiratory infections during this period. In 1969, during the Second International SIDS Conference, a definition was formulated that was the criterion for the diagnosis of SIDS in cases of sudden infant death. This is an example of an "exclusion" diagnosis. We can talk about SIDS when an unexpected death of a child occurs in the first year of life, which cannot be explained by post-mortem examination (autopsy, examination of the death scene and analysis of data from the interview).

Sudden Cot Death: causes

Unfortunately, the exact causes of SIDS are unknown and are still an important subject of research. The development phase of the central nervous system in infants attracts the most attention. The instability of the respiratory and circulatory function control system has been demonstrated, especially when manifestedwhile sleeping.

You should know that in the first six months of life, there are physiological differences in sleep. In newborns, more than 50% of sleep is occupied by REM sleep, which gradually shortens during the first 6 months of life.

It is during this period of sleep that cardio-respiratory disorders occur. They can be the result of fetal, perinatal or neonatal brain damage and, when combined with other factors (infection, neglect, drug reaction), lead to sudden death. The importance of primary cardiovascular and respiratory disorders as well as metabolic disorders in the pathogenesis of SIDS is also considered.

Sudden Infant Death: Risk Factors

The subject of in-depth research is also the identification of SIDS risk factors, so that the occurrence of this phenomenon can be prevented. We can divide them into three groups: 1. Maternal SIDS risk factors:

  • smoking! - during pregnancy, it has very serious consequences for the fetus: hypoxia occurs, intrauterine development is delayed, and the central mechanism of waking up is damaged; on the other hand, passive smoking weakens the defense against hypoxia in infants and promotes the occurrence of obstructive apnea
  • illnesses during pregnancy (especially anemia exacerbating the effects of smoking)
  • no antenatal care
  • mother's young age (under 20)
  • low level of education

2. SIDS risk factors in a child:

  • low birth weight
  • prematurity
  • male gender

3. Environmental factors

  • poor socioeconomic situation and the accompanying inappropriate lifestyle, hygiene negligence and insufficient attention to the child's needs
  • incorrect care habits: laying the baby on its stomach while sleeping and overheating the babies

Sudden Cot Death: prevention

Although the cause of SIDS is still unknown, based on the probable risk factors of its occurrence, we have managed to formulate a list of tips that can reduce the risk of cot death:

  • The baby should not sleep on its stomach!

There was no direct evidence of a link between laying an infant on its stomach and the onset of SIDS. However, observation of populations promoting supine positioning of infants unequivocally showed a decrease in the incidence of SIDS. It should also be remembered that during the day the baby should also lie on its tummy, but only when we have it in our eyes.

  • Choose the right onemattress

Too soft, used and worn mattresses should be avoided. Newborns and babies also don't need a pillow!

  • Don't overheat your baby!

The clothes should be adjusted to the ambient temperature, ideally it should be 18-21 ° C. A fairly common mistake is to wrap the little ones too much. Avoid too thick, synthetic fabrics. The baby's head should be uncovered, it is not correct to put the hat on.

  • The baby should sleep in his crib!

It is dangerous to have a baby sleeping in the same bed with both mother and siblings

  • No smoking in front of the baby!

Numerous studies have found an association between SIDS and maternal smoking during pregnancy and infants. You should make sure that no one smokes in the house where the baby lives, not only during his presence, but at all, because harmful substances penetrate the fabrics.

  • There is no need to routinely use respiratory monitoring devices for a he althy baby

Such a device often disturbs the peace of the family, causing anxiety with "false alarms". The use of such a device should only be considered in special cases where the risk of SIDS is higher than average (e.g. in cardiopulmonary instability, in infants after a life-threatening incident, in the case of SIDS in siblings)

  • Feed naturally!

Only breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of infections and diarrhea, and therefore the risk of SIDS.

Sudden Infant Death Recognition

In differential diagnosis please consider:

  • unfortunate accident
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Syndrome
  • acute or chronic disease outcome

In order to make a diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude these causes in the autopsy. Currently, the scope of post-mortem examinations has been extended to include biochemical and imaging diagnostics.

Category:

Child's he alth