Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant during sleep, most commonly occurring in babies under one year, with the highest risk between 2 and 4 months. The precise cause is unknown, but it’s believed to involve a combination of factors during a critical development period. Safe sleep practices, such as placing infants on their backs, using a firm mattress, and avoiding overheating, can reduce the risk. Despite its mystery, efforts to promote awareness and safe sleep habits have successfully lowered SIDS rates in various countries.
Causes
Both physical and sleep factors put a baby at risk for SIDS. These factors vary from child to child.
Physical factors
Physical factors associated with SIDS include:
- Brain defects: Some babies are born with problems that make them more likely to die from SIDS. In many of these babies, the part of the brain that controls breathing and waking up hasn’t developed enough to work properly.
- Low birth weight: Being born early or part of multiple births increases the chance that the baby’s brain is not fully developed. The child may have less control over automatic processes such as breathing and heartbeat.
- Respiratory infection: Many babies who die of SIDS have recently had a cold. A cold may lead to breathing problems.
Sleep factors
A baby’s sleeping position, bedding, and other conditions may increase the risk of SIDS. Examples are:
- Sleeping on the stomach or side: Babies who sleep in these positions may have more breathing problems than babies who sleep on their backs.
- Sleeping on a soft surface: Lying face down on a soft bed, mattress, or a waterbed can block a baby’s airway.
- Sharing a bed: The risk of SIDS increases if the baby sleeps in the same bed as parents, siblings, or pets. But if the baby sleeps in a separate bed in the same room as the parents, it reduces the risk of SIDS.
- Overheating: Being too warm while sleeping can increase a baby’s risk of SIDS.
Risk factors
Several risk factors that can potentially increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have been identified. It is important to note that these risk factors do not guarantee that SIDS will occur, but they may contribute to a greater likelihood. Some common risk factors include:
- Sleep position: Placing a baby to sleep on its stomach or side increases the risk of SIDS.
- Sleep environment: Factors such as soft bedding, loose pillows, stuffed animals, or a soft mattress in the crib can bring the risk of suffocation for the baby.
- Parental smoking and exposure to smoke: Babies exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy or cigarette smoke after birth are at higher risk.
- Premature birth or low birth weight: Infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight have a higher risk of SIDS.
- Mother’s health during pregnancy: Poor prenatal care, young maternal age, or inadequate prenatal nutrition can increase the risk.
- Excessive heat: Overheating from excessive clothing, a warm room, or too many blankets can be a risk factor.
- Sleeping environment: Sharing a bed with parents or sleeping on a soft surface, such as a sofa or armchair, increases the risk of suffocation or overlaying.
- Maternal drug or alcohol use: Substance use during pregnancy or breastfeeding can contribute to a higher risk of SIDS.
- Family history: Infants with siblings or family members who experienced SIDS may be at a slightly higher risk.
- Male gender: Male infants have a slightly higher incidence of SIDS than females.
- Inadequate prenatal care: Lack of proper prenatal care and guidance can be a risk factor.
Steps to help prevent SIDS
Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) involves following safe sleep practices and creating an environment for infants.
Back to sleep
Always place your baby on their back to sleep for naps and at night. This is the safest sleep position and significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
Use a firm mattress
Ensure your baby’s sleep surface is firm and flat, like a crib mattress. Avoid soft bedding, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals.
Avoid overheating
Dress your baby in appropriate clothing for the room temperature to prevent overheating. Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, and avoid overdressing the baby.
Safe crib setup
Use a safety-approved crib with a snug-fitting mattress and no gaps between the mattress and crib. Remove any items from the crib that could pose a suffocation hazard.
No co-sleeping
Avoid bed-sharing with your baby. Instead, place the crib or bassinet in your room, close to your bed, for easy monitoring.
Breastfeeding
If possible, breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding has been associated with a reduced risk of SIDS.
Prenatal care
Seek regular prenatal care during pregnancy. Proper prenatal care contributes to a healthier pregnancy and baby.
No smoking or exposure to smoke
Avoid smoking during pregnancy and keep the baby’s environment smoke-free. Babies exposed to smoke have a higher risk of SIDS.
Regular checkups
Ensure your baby receives regular checkups and vaccinations. Keep up with well-baby visits to monitor your child’s growth and development.
Educate caregivers
Share safe sleep guidelines with all caregivers, including grandparents, babysitters, and daycare providers, to ensure they follow safe sleep practices.
Educational campaigns
Stay informed about the latest recommendations and guidelines related to infant sleep safety through educational resources, healthcare providers, and parenting classes.
When is SIDS most common?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is most common during the first six months of an infant’s life, with the highest incidence typically occurring between two and four months of age. However, it’s important to note that SIDS can occur anytime during a baby’s first year, and cases have been reported up to the age of one year.
The risk of SIDS significantly decreases as a baby grows older and reaches their first birthday. By that time, the baby’s development, physical growth, and ability to move and change positions during sleep reduce the risk of sudden unexplained death.
Parents and caregivers must follow safe sleep practices consistently and remain vigilant in creating a safe sleep environment for infants throughout their first year of life and beyond. Additionally, regular prenatal care and avoiding exposure to smoke during pregnancy and after birth are important factors in reducing the risk of SIDS.
The bottom line
From when a mother becomes pregnant until a baby is born, nothing is more important to her than the child’s health. Sometimes, unpleasant things happen to the baby, which causes not only the mother but also the whole family to suffer. Sudden death syndrome is one of these events. There is no cure for this syndrome because it happens suddenly, but doctors have concluded that there are factors that are effective in the occurrence of SIDS.
Losing a baby for any reason can be devastating. However, losing a baby to SIDS can have other emotional consequences beyond grief and guilt. There will also be a mandatory autopsy to determine the cause of your baby’s death, which can add to the emotional toll.
For these reasons, getting support is critical. There are several bereavement support groups where you can find others who understand your feelings. Counseling may also be helpful for the grieving process and your relationship with your spouse.
Additional questions
- Does breastfeeding protect babies from SIDS?
Feeding a baby human milk for at least two months reduces the risk of SIDS by at least 50%. This may be because exclusively breastfed babies may wake more easily and often than formula-fed babies. These frequent awakenings protect the child. The immunity boosts that breastfeeding gives the baby also play a role in safe sleep.
- What happens when an infant overheats?
When an infant overheats, their body temperature rises to dangerous levels due to exposure to high temperatures, overdressing, or being in a hot environment. This can cause dehydration, irritability, rapid breathing, flushed skin, drowsiness, and fever.
Move the baby to a cooler place, remove excess clothing, gently cool them with a damp cloth or a cool bath, ensure proper hydration, and seek medical help. Prevention is key to avoiding overheating, including keeping the environment comfortable and dressing the baby appropriately for the weather.
- What’s the right room temperature for a baby?
Maintaining the right room temperature for a baby is crucial for their comfort, safety, and well-being, as infants are more sensitive to temperature changes than adults. The ideal room temperature can vary slightly based on individual preferences and the climate you live in, but generally, a recommended range is Between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22.2 degrees Celsius).
- What is premature birth?
A premature birth, or preterm birth, occurs when a baby is born before completing a full 37 weeks of gestation, before the normal 40-week term. This can be due to factors such as maternal health conditions, multiple pregnancies (e.g., twins), infections, or lifestyle habits. Premature babies may face health challenges because their organs and systems are not fully developed, leading to respiratory issues, infections, and developmental delays. Advances in medical care, particularly in neonatal intensive care, have significantly improved the outcomes for premature infants, but they often need specialized medical attention to support their growth and development. Prevention and early detection of risk factors are crucial in reducing the incidence of preterm births.
- What is the best environment for babies?
The baby should sleep in a quiet, dark room with a slightly cool temperature. Consider dressing your baby in sleepers so you don’t need a blanket to cover him. Keep your child away from secondhand smoke.
References
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/baby-sleep/sudden-infant-death-syndrome
https://www.webmd.com/parenting/sids-prevention
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/13646-sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids
https://www.healthline.com/health/sudden-infant-death-syndrome#support
