Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as “an unspecified medical entity: the sudden and unexpected death of a reasonably healthy child, whose passing away remains uncertain following the performance of an adequate assessment of medical history, autopsy, and death scene examination”(Valdes-Dapena,1979). SIDS is one of the predominately-unsolved problems of infancy. The number of infants who die each year of SIDS is greater than the number of children who die of pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2007). Even though SIDS is not predictable or 100% preventable, there are prevention tips, guidance, and support for those that have been affected by this tragedy.
The tragic loss of a child to SIDS weighs heavily on the minds of all parents. One thought that offers a little comfort to parents who have suffered such a loss is that there appears to be no suffering. In most SIDS cases, death occurs rapidly and during sleep. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), “SIDS is the prevalent cause of death during the first year of life with a rate of roughly two per every thousand births.” SIDS could possibly have more than one cause, though the final process appears to be associated in the majority of cases. Though it is unknown what causes SIDS, it is known what SIDS is not. SIDS is not contagious or caused by suffocation, or entrapment. Slight illnesses such as infections and colds, choking or vomiting are also not causes of SIDS. Research has shown that diphtheria, pertussus, and tetanus (DPT) vaccines, or further immunizations do not cause SIDS (Walker et al., 1987). Having a child properly immunized will help maintain the health of an infant and may help reduce the risk of SIDS.
The National SIDS Alliance Group believes the only way to help prevent SIDS is with careful management of children in
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as “an unspecified medical entity: the sudden and unexpected death of a reasonably healthy child, whose passing away remains uncertain following the performance of an adequate assessment of medical history, autopsy, and death scene examination”(Valdes-Dapena,1979). SIDS is one of the predominately-unsolved problems of infancy. The number of infants who die each year of SIDS is greater than the number of children who die of pneumonia, child abuse, AIDS, cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy combined (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2007). Even though SIDS is not predictable or 100% preventable, there are prevention tips, guidance, and support for those that have been affected by this tragedy.
The tragic loss of a child to SIDS weighs heavily on the minds of all parents. One thought that offers a little comfort to parents who have suffered such a loss is that there appears to be no suffering. In most SIDS cases, death occurs rapidly and during sleep. According to the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), “SIDS is the prevalent cause of death during the first year of life with a rate of roughly two per every thousand births.” SIDS could possibly have more than one cause, though the final process appears to be associated in the majority of cases. Though it is unknown what causes SIDS, it is known what SIDS is not. SIDS is not contagious or caused by suffocation, or entrapment. Slight illnesses such as infections and colds, choking or vomiting are also not causes of SIDS. Research has shown that diphtheria, pertussus, and tetanus (DPT) vaccines, or further immunizations do not cause SIDS (Walker et al., 1987). Having a child properly immunized will help maintain the health of an infant and may help reduce the risk of SIDS.
The National SIDS Alliance Group believes the only way to help prevent SIDS is with careful management of children in
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