What Is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the diagnosis given when a baby under the age of one year dies unexpectedly for no apparent reason. SIDS is most common in babies under 2 to 4months, with 90% of occurrences occurring in babies under 6 months old.
SIDS is a type of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), which usually happens while a baby is sleeping or in his or her sleep environment. SUIDs also include deaths by suffocation or strangling by accident, as well as deaths from unknown causes.
Every year, nearly 3,400 babies die from SUIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While that number is heartbreaking – and frightening for new parents – its vital to know that your baby is extremely unlikely to be one of them. Even though there is no 100% guarantee that your baby will not succumb to SIDS, you can take vital eff orts to lessen the risk.
SIDS is caused by a number of factors.
Researchers have learnt a lot about SIDS, but they still don’t know what causes it. SIDS is thought to happen when a newborn has an underlying physical susceptibility (such as immature or dysfunctional heart, breathing, or arousal) and is exposed to specific stressful conditions (such as sleeping tummy-down or being overdressed) at a vital stage of development.
According to new study, an infant’s brain chemical serotonin levels may be low, making him or her more susceptible to SIDS. Experts discovered that up to 70% of newborns who died from SIDS had lower-than-normal serotonin levels in their brain stems. During sleep, serotonin aids in the control of respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Researchers have also discovered frequent SIDS risk factors and solutions to safeguard your kid. As per below:
i. Premature birth:
Babies who are born prematurely and with a low birth weight are at a higher risk.
ii. Age:
Babies under the age of four months are at a higher risk.
iii. Sex:
Boys are somewhat more vulnerable than girls.
iv. Having a twin brother or sister.
Twins have twice the risk of SIDS, which is partly owing to twins’ lower total birth weight.
v. Maternal factors:
Babies born to mothers who smoked, used drugs or alcohol during pregnancy, received insufficient prenatal care, or were under the age of 20 at the time of birth are at a greater risk.
vi. Family history:
SIDS is more common in babies who had a sibling or relative who died from it.
vii. Race:
Newborns that are Black, Native American, or Alaskan Native have the highest risk of SIDS, followed by white infants. Infants from Asia and the Pacific Islands, as well as Hispanics, are at a reduced risk.
viii. Secondhand smoking:
Babies who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk.
