OCTOBER- SIDS AWARENESS MONTH
SIDS- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome- is the sudden death of an infant (less than one year old child) for no obvious reason. Babies mostly die during their sleep, which is why it is also referred to as crib death.
Factors that contribute to SIDS:
Physical factors:
- Brain defects: The part of brain which controls breathing and sleep may malfunction in such babies, leading to SIDS
- Low-birth weight babies: Babies who are born premature are more likely to have SIDS
- Respiratory Infection: Infants who contract SIDS were found to be suffering from cold, which weakens the respiratory system.
Environmental factors:
- Sleeping on the side
- Sleeping on soft surface
- Sharing a bed
- Overheating
Risk factors:
- Age: Two to four month old babies are more at risk
- Gender: Boys are more susceptible
- Race: Non-white babies are more likely to develop SIDS
- Family history: Babies who had siblings or cousins die from SIDS are also likely to have SIDS
- Being premature: Prematurity is more likely to cause SIDS
- Passive or secondhand smoke: Living with smokers develops a higher risk for SIDS
Maternal risk factors:
- Smoking
- Inadequate prenatal care
- using drugs or alcohol
- being younger than 20 years of age
Prevention:
- Sleeping on back
- Keeping the crib as empty as possible
- Making the baby sleep in your room
- Avoiding overheating
- Breastfeeding
- Offering pacifier
- Immunizations
- Don't use baby monitors
Good,
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