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Risk Factors in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Friday, 17 June 2011 01:52 Dr. Sunita Khatri Pediatrics
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the third biggest cause of infant deaths in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). A new study published in Pediatrics states that more than 96% of the children who die due to SIDS are exposed to risk factors. These risk factors include sleeping on the side or stomach, bed sharing with adults and exposure to tobacco smoke, etc. Around 74% of SIDS cases are exposed to more than one risk factor. Deaths in the absence of any risk factor are rare. According to Barbara M. Ostfeld, PhD and Thomas Hegyi, MD, professors in the Department of Pediatrics at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, the lead authors of this study, the findings bring out the importance of providing comprehensive risk reduction education to parents and other health care providers.

 
The study was carried out to raise the awareness of risk factors in SIDS, and to improve upon the various SIDS reduction initiatives taken by physicians and other health care providers. In the study, 244 cases of SIDS were reviewed retrospectively, and the frequency and coexistence of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors were analyzed. The modifiable risk factors for SIDS include sleeping in non- supine position, bed sharing, use of blankets, quilts, pillows, etc and maternal smoking. The non- modifiable risk factors included less than 37 weeks’ gestational age at birth and presence of upper respiratory tract infections.
 
SIDS is defined as a sudden or unexpected death of an infant within a year of his birth which cannot be explained even after compete forensic autopsy and a detailed investigation of the infant’s medical history and the scene of death. It has been hypothesized that it may be due to an abnormality in the brain stem which prevents the baby from responding adequately to any respiratory challenge which may be thrown up by factors such as lying prone and suffocation due to smoke, etc.
 
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the “Back- to- Sleep” position, i.e. sleeping in the supine position, along with the elimination of all the modifiable risk factors for SIDS is the safest way to prevent the syndrome, until the exact biological mechanism for SIDS is identified.
 
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Last Updated on Monday, 20 June 2011 12:13