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SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME (SIDS) |
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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is
the leading cause of post neonatal mortality in the United States,
where approximately 3,000 infants die each year from SIDS. In most
cases, infants appear healthy before succumbing to SIDS. Great
progress has been achieved in understanding SIDS and reducing the
number of deaths caused by this tragic disorder. Less than a decade
ago, almost twice as many American infants were dying of SIDS than
is the case today. |
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Although SIDS rates have declined in all
populations throughout the United States during the last decade,
disparities in SIDS rates and in the prevalence of risk factors
remain evident in certain groups. The SIDS rate among American
Indians (1.5 per 1,000) and African Americans (1.4 per 1,000)
remains more than twice that of whites (0.6 per 1,000). In
contrast, infants born to Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander
mothers have among the lowest SIDS rates (0.4 per 1,000). |
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WHO IS AT RISK FOR SIDS? |
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Babies who sleep on their stomachs
or sides. |
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Babies born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy
and babies that are exposed to passive smoke after birth. |
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Babies born to mothers who are less than 20 years
old at the time of their first pregnancy. |
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Babies born to mothers who had no or late prenatal
care. |
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Babies who are premature or low birth weight. |
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Babies who are placed to sleep on soft surfaces such
as soft mattresses, sofas, sofa cushions, waterbeds, sheep skins, or
other soft surfaces. |
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Babies who are placed to sleep in an environment
containing fluffy and loose bedding, such as pillows, quilts or
other coverings, stuffed toys, and other soft items. |
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WHAT YOU CAN DO |
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While there is currently no way to
predict which babies will die from SIDS, there are ways to lower the
risk of SIDS: |
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Place babies to sleep on their backs, unless advised
otherwise by a physician. |
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Place the baby on a firm mattress, such as in a
safety-approved crib or other firm surface. |
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Remove all fluffy and loose bedding, such as fluffy
blankets or other coverings, pillows, quilts, and stuffed toys, from
the baby’s sleep area. |
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Get good prenatal care, including proper nutrition,
no maternal smoking or drug/alcohol use, and frequent medical
check-ups beginning early in pregnancy. |
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Take babies for regular well-baby check-ups and
routine immunizations. |
