The
cold, winter weather is bringing out the heavy clothes and blankets
-- and parents of infants should to be aware of the increased
incidence of SIDS during the winter season. SIDS, which strikes
nearly 5,000 babies each year, is the sudden, without warning
or reason, death of an infant in the first year of life.
Most
of these deaths occur when a baby is between 1 and 4 months
of age and more boys than girls are victims. Because most cases
of SIDS occur when a baby is sleeping in a crib, SIDS is also
known as crib death.
There
is probably not one single factor that causes a SIDS death,
but rather several factors combined. Some babies are born with
brain defects that make them susceptible to SIDS during the
first year of life.
These
defects occur in a portion of the brain, arcuate nucleus, that
is involved in controlling breathing and waking during sleep.
Babies born with defects in other portions of the brain or body
may also be more prone to a sudden death.
These
defects may stem from exposure to a toxic substance or lack
of oxygen in the womb. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy, for
example, can reduce the amount of oxygen the fetus receives.
It
is thought that these brain defects together with certain events
that occur after birth such as low oxygen or high carbon dioxide
in the blood, overheating or an infection is what causes a SIDS
death.
While
sleeping on their stomach, babies can rebreathe stale air trapped
in pockets formed by soft bedding or pillows that are placed
around the baby's head. Rebreathing stale air causes carbon
dioxide to build up in the body, while the oxygen level drops.
In normal infants the brain triggers the babies to wake from
sleep and cry, bringing the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
back to normal range.
A
baby with a brain defect however, might not be able to wake
himself and succumb to SIDS. Infections in babies can make breathing
very difficult, and many babies experience a lack of oxygen
when they have respiratory infections. This might explain why
a large number of SIDS cases occur during the colder months
of the year, when respiratory infections are more common.
It
is known that some babies who die suddenly have a metabolic
disorder, medium chain acylCoA dehydrogenase deficiency, which
prevents the infant from properly processing fatty acids. A
build-up of these acid metabolites could eventually causing
the heart and breathing to stop. If there is a family history
of this disorder, genetic screening of the parents by a blood
test can determine if they are carriers of this disorder.
Healthy
Babies Should Sleep on Their Back
One
of the most important things you can do to help reduce the risk
of SIDS is to put your healthy baby on his or her back to
sleep this is the best position for infants from 1 month to
1 year. Some babies at first don't like sleeping on their
back, but most get used to it and this is the best sleep position
for your baby.
Do
this when your baby is being put down for a nap or to bed for
the night. Some mothers worry that babies sleeping on their
back may choke on spit-up or vomit during sleep. Millions of
babies around the world now sleep on their back and doctors
have not found an increase in choking. Although back sleeping
is the best sleep position, your baby can be placed on his or
her side. Side position does not provide as much protection
against SIDS as back sleeping, but it is much better than placing
your baby on his or her tummy.
A
certain amount of tummy time while your baby is awake is good
for motor developing strong shoulders and arms. Also, tummy
time helps prevent flat spots from developing on the back of
the baby's head. These flat spots that develop from sleeping
on the back are almost always temporary and disappear soon after
the baby begins to sit up.
There
currently is no way of predicting which newborns will die from
SIDS; however, there are a few measures parents can take.
Prenatal
care
Early and regular prenatal care can also help reduce the risk
of SIDS. The risk of SIDS is higher for babies whose mothers
smoked during pregnancy. For your baby's well being, you
should not use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy (except
medicines prescribed by a doctor).
These
steps may also reduce the chance of having a premature or low
birthweight baby, which also increases the risk for SIDS. Once
the baby is born, parents should keep the baby in a smoke-free
environment. Parents should take their babies to their doctor
for regular well baby check-ups and routine immunizations.
Bedding
Make
sure that your baby sleeps on a firm mattress not on a a waterbed,
sheepskin, a pillow, or other soft materials. Don't use fluffy
blankets or comforters under the baby. Some babies have
smothered with these soft materials in the crib.
If
you choose to sleep in the same bed with your baby, care should
be taken to avoid using Quilts, blankets, pillows, comforters
under the baby. It is also important to be aware that unlike
cribs, which are designed to meet safety standards for infants,
adult beds may carry a risk of accidental entrapment and suffocation.
Temperature
Babies should be kept warm, but not too warm because an overheated
baby is more likely to go into a deep sleep from which it is
difficult to arouse. The temperature in the baby's room should
feel comfortable to you.
Breastfeeding
You
should consider breastfeeding your baby. Breast milk provides
protection from some infections.
If
your baby ever stops breathing and turns blue or limp, the baby
should be taken to the doctor. Electronic home monitors are
recommended for infants who have experienced one or more severe
episodes during which they stopped breathing and required CPR,
also premature infants with apnea, and siblings of two or more
SIDS infants. If an infant is on a monitor, parents need to
know how to properly use and maintain the device, as well as
how to perform CPR on their baby if the alarm sounds.
Most
importantly enjoy your baby! Most babies are born healthy and
most stay that way. Don't let the fear of SIDS spoil your joy
and enjoyment of having a new baby.
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