What is SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome refers to unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant younger than 1 year for whom an investigation of the death and a thorough autopsy fails to show an adequate cause of death. SIDS most frequently occurred during winter months. Death usually occurs during sleep periods, but not necessarily at night. SIDS most frequently affect infants 2-3 months of age and incidence is higher in boys.
Who is at risk for SIDS?
Several theories are proposed regarding the cause of SIDS
but exact cause is unknown. But certain risk factors do exist.
- Babies who sleep in prone position (on their stomach).
- Use of soft bedding, sleeping in a non infant bed such as sofa.
- Baby of mother who smoke during pregnancy.
- Exposure to tobacco smoke after birth.
- Over heating (Thermal stress) while sleeping.
- Premature and low birth weight babies.
- Having a history of previous sibling who died with SIDS.
Symptoms
- Infant is apneic, blue & life less.
- Frothy bloody-fluid is in the nose and mouth.
- History of siblings with S.I.D.S.
- Infant may appear to have been clutching bedding.
- Diaper may be wet and full of stool.
Diagnosis
No cause of death can be identified following a death scene investigation, an autopsy, and a review of the clinical history, the doctor conform the death of baby is SIDS.
Prevention of SIDS
- Infants should be placed in the supine position for sleep because research indicates it decreased incidence of SIDS.
- Mother needs to be taught about the risk factors of SIDS: Cigarette smoking, substance abuse during pregnancy, use of soft bedding, sleeping in a non infant bed such as a sofa, overheating, exposure to tobacco smoke after birth, stuffed animals or other toys should be removed from the crib while the infant is sleeping.
- Nurse teach the parents to monitor for positional plagiocephaly.
- Close monitoring of infant is supine position.
- Breast feeding to her baby decrease risk of SIDS.
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