Is It Possible To Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a baby under one year of age. Little is known about the cause and there is no specific treatment. Normally it is unpredictable. Therefore, it is a problem that concerns parents.

In this article we will talk about SIDS and discuss whether it is possible to take measures to prevent it.

What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of a baby under one year of age. It apparently occurs while the baby is sleeping.

There is no medical explanation for it, even after studying the environment in which it occurred, the history of the newborn and performing an autopsy on the baby.

It is believed that the physical cause of sudden death is the immaturity of the baby’s brain. Specifically the area that controls breathing and sleep. This immaturity prevents the baby from being able to wake up reflexively if there is a lack of oxygen.

In normal times, when the body feels a lack of oxygen, it sends signals to the brain to wake up and cry. When the baby cries, he gets the oxygen they need. In these cases, the brain doesn’t send the sign and the baby doesn’t wake up, decreasing the amount of oxygen in the body even more.

The risk factors

Although, as we mentioned, the actual cause of sudden death is unknown, experts have identified certain situations where it is most common.

The main risk factor is if you let a baby sleep on his stomach. That is why the Dutch Association for Pediatrics recommends that you always lay your baby on its back. Some other risk factors include:

• Boys die a little more from SIDS.
• A premature or very low birth weight baby.
• A baby who has difficulty swallowing fluids or food or has a deformity of the face.
• A newborn suffering from a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection.
• A family history of SIDS.
• A mother who smoked during pregnancy and after childbirth.
• Excessive heat or excessive wrapping of the child.
• Share the bed with their parents.

Can SIDS be prevented?

Since pediatricians started recommending that babies should sleep on their backs, the number of sudden deaths has plummeted. As we mentioned above, sleeping on their stomach is the main risk factor. Making sure they sleep on their backs improves your baby’s breathing and safety.

Parents can take other measures to reduce your baby’s risk of sudden death. These include:

• Attending prenatal care in a health center. Regular checkups are important to detect potential health problems early.
• The mother should follow a balanced diet during pregnancy. It is also important for the mother not to smoke or use other drugs. Both aspects are important, both during pregnancy and after the birth of the baby.
• Make sure the baby stays away from places with tobacco smoke.
• Place the newborn on a flat and firm mattress. Mattresses that are too soft increase the risk of sudden death.

• According to experts, the baby should sleep in the same room as his parents, but without sharing a bed with them. This way, parents can keep a closer eye on their baby.
• Avoid excessive heat, either in the environment or because the baby is wrapped in too many clothes or blankets.
• Breastfeeding is considered a protective factor against SIDS.

Conclusion

SIDS is a complex problem that experts don’t know much about. However, by following the guideline ‘Prevention of SIDS’ drawn up by the Dutch Association for Pediatrics, the number of cases has decreased considerably.

It is important that parents receive proper education about the birth of the baby or attend pregnancy courses. It is also very important that both the child and the mother go to their medical check-up.