What Is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome...

     In the United States of America about 4,000 infants fall victim to SIDS each year...

     SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is defined as the sudden death of an infant under one year of age that remains unexplained after a through case investigation, including a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.

* I felt it important to note that SIDS has happened to children over the age of one year, though compared to deaths of the younger infants this is rare.

     SIDS Characteristics
          --85% of all sudden & unexpected post neonatal deaths are due to SIDS.
          --90% of SIDS deaths occur in infants less than 6 months old.
          --SIDS deaths occur more often in the fall and winter months.
          --60% of SIDS victims are male; 40% are female.
          --SIDS occurs in ALL socio-economic, racial and ethnic groups.
          --Rate of one SIDS death per 1,000 live births.
          --Indistinguishable from other infants while alive.
          --Occurs most often while infant is sleeping.
          --Infant appears healthy prior to death.

     SIDS is NOT...
          --NOT caused by external suffocation.
          --NOT caused by vomiting & choking.
          --NOT contagious.
          --DOES NOT cause the baby pain or suffering.
          --NOT caused by lack of love.
          --NOT caused by a sleeping parent rolling over onto the infant.

     SIDS can not be prevented or predicted at this time, though there are some suggestions to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The Back to Sleep Campaign was designed to have parents be aware of these "risk factors" (--SIDS is not preventable). The Back to Sleep campaign focuses on putting your healthy infant on their back to sleep (with an alternative side sleep position though the back is strongly recommended at this time).

     Other guidelines include:
--bedding, use of firm matteresses and avoiding fluffly blankets & comforters or othersoft materials used as sleeping surfaces.
--temperature, avoid overheating by regulating temperature, don't overbundle your infant.
--smoke-free environment, creating a smoke-free environment for your infant.
--doctor or clinic visits, getting regular checkups (the importance of well-infant care) keeping an up to date immunization schedule.
--prenatal care, early, regular prenatal care; recognizing the increased risk of SIDS associated with maternal smoking during pregnancy, drug use and alchol abuse during pregnancy.
--breast feeding & enjoying your baby!

     The risk factors associated with SIDS are: maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal age less than 20, poor prenatal care, low weight gain, use of illegal drugs during pregnancy, and putting your healthy infant on his/her stomach to sleep.

My local SIDS Suport group here in NW Ohio has a monthly newsletter, I have permission to reprint articles from this newsletter from the author of the grief articles that appear there. I will be running one article every other month.
To read the Current Grief Article you can go HERE!!
To Read Previous Grief Articles you can go to the index of pages HERE!!

These articles are written by John Hyter John is a member on the NW Ohio SIDS Support Network board, the SID Network of Ohio and a grief care counselor.

     Resources for more information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Alliance of Grandparents Against Tragedy (AGAST)
2323 N.Central Ave. Ste 1204
Phoenix, AZ 85004
800-793-SIDS

American SIDS Institute
6065 Roswell Road Ste 876
Atlanta, GA 30328
800-232-SIDS
In Georgia 800-847-SIDS

SIDS Network
9 Gonch Farm Road
Ledyard, CT
800-560-1354
Email
Webpage

SIDS Alliance
1314 Bedford Ave. Ste 210
Baltimore MD 21208
800-221-7437
Webpage

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