The term sudden infant death syndrome means that a child dies without warning and no apparent cause. Doctors and scientists diagnose SIDS if they can not detect any other cause of death even after a thorough examination. Sudden infant death is a disaster for the parents concerned. Find out more about SIDS and what you can do to protect your child from SIDS.
Sudden Infant Death: Description
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) means that a child dies suddenly and unexpectedly. In this tragic death of a seemingly healthy infant or toddler doctors speak of the “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome”, short SIDS. In this country, sudden infant death syndrome is also known as “crib death” or “sudden infant death”. Causes can not be determined with certainty.
Even a careful autopsy (internal morgue) usually provides no consistent causes for sudden infant death syndrome. Signs or warning signs can be found as well as triggering circumstances. A fact that can be very disturbing for parents. Scientists have done numerous studies. The results to date provide only possible risk factors of SIDS.
Sudden infant death: frequency and age
Sudden infant deaths affect more boys: In 60 percent of the cases, male infants die of SIDS. To what age the risk of sudden child death exists can not be said exactly. About four out of five babies die in the first to fifth month of life. Only rarely are the children over one year old.
Overall, a sudden infant death syndrome has become less common. According to the Federal Statistical Office in Germany, 131 children died of sudden child death in the first year of their life in 2012. In 2011 there were still 147, at the turn of the millennium 482 and 1990 even 1283 SIDS deaths. This decline in childhood death is explained by better preparedness.
About two-thirds of the cases occur in winter. This accumulation is explained by the fact that many SIDS children have previously experienced a cold, which occurs more frequently in these months. Most babies die in their sleep early in the morning. The majority is found by her parents in prone position. SIDS children are often sweaty and lie with their heads under the covers. When babies sleep on their tummy, the risk of SIDS is significantly increased.
Sudden Infant Deaths: Causes and Risk Factors
Since no clear cause of sudden infant death has been found to date, experts assume that there are a number of factors. These relate, on the one hand, to the course of pregnancy, as well as the physical condition and the child’s health (endogenous risk factors). On the other hand, environmental factors, ie external influences, play a decisive role in sudden infant death syndrome (exogenous risk factors).
Disorders of life-sustaining functions
Everyone has natural control and monitoring systems. These, for example, maintain breathing. They also “measure” the gas content in the blood and react accordingly. An example: Everyone breathes vital oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) out. If there was a blanket on the face during sleep, the emitted CO would2 accumulate there. It would be inhaled again and the CO2Value in the blood rise. However, an area in the brain stem would immediately recognize the increased, unfavorable value for the body. Breathing would be boosted or the person would wake up. In this way, the body can avoid a shortage and protect itself from suffocation.
Even a baby already has these life-sustaining reflexes, but they first have to mature. In sudden infant death, experts assume a failure in the control or control function. One in sleep O2– or an increased CO2Value can no longer be balanced, or a falling blood pressure is no longer absorbed.
Risk factor genes
Researchers have found that twins and siblings of SIDS children are six times more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome. They therefore suspect that changes in genetic make-up play a role. Its genes carry the information with which the body, for example, manufactures messenger substances (neurotransmitters) and their receptor structures (receptors). Many of its functions are controlled by the body in this way. Altered genes can cause a mistake in this process. This can also affect the control of vital signs; possible consequence is a sudden infant death syndrome. The SIDS comes without warning signs.
Risk factor problem-childbirth
Various studies investigate the relationship between birth and sudden infant death syndrome. Premature babies therefore have an increased risk of SIDS. This also applies to children from multiple births. Newborns who have respiratory problems during or after birth are also at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. Congenital constriction of the airways can cause SIDS. Another factor is a weakness of the pharyngeal muscles. The upper airways are restricted and a sudden infant death is favored.
Risk factor age
In the maturing process of important bodily functions, newborns are particularly sensitive. Unfavorable external influences affect the biological systems and can lead to sudden infant death syndrome. However, these external factors can often be very well influenced by the parents.
Risk factors prone and overheating
Parents are asked about a sudden infant death, how they found their child. Evaluations of these data show how crucial the sleeping situation of the baby is. The greatest risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome is the prone position. The risk of SIDS is even higher if the bed mattress is very soft or there are extra pillows, stuffed animals, towels and blankets in the bed. These conditions can lead to impaired breathing. The child inhales too much carbon dioxide again, while the breathing air contains less and less oxygen at the same time. The child can not compensate for this by increased breathing, nor can it free itself with targeted movements. It threatens the sudden infantile death.
At the same time, the heat accumulates in the body of the infant. It is believed that this overheating additionally affects the physical functions. Failure then the cardiovascular regulation, this can also lead to sudden infant death syndrome.
Risk Factor Infections
Cold infections mean an additional risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Their consequences are many. The immature immune system does not have a sufficient response to the pathogens. If breathing – such as prone – difficult, for example, bacteria can multiply even easier. The baby’s body reacts to fever with its toxins, which in turn pollutes the circulation and leads to increased fluid loss. Everything together can affect the child’s central regulatory mechanisms and even lead to sudden infant death syndrome.
Risk factor stress and social status
More and more people feel stressed by stress. Unconsciously, they also transfer part of it to their children. Especially for infants and toddlers, parental stress increases the risk of sudden infant death, say studies. A young age of the mother (under 20 years) and closely following pregnancies should also increase the risk of SIDS. In addition, a poor financial and social status of the family should encourage sudden infant death syndrome.
Risk factors smoking, drugs, alcohol
Studies show that if mothers smoke or take drugs during pregnancy, this not only leads to developmental disorders or malformations of the embryo or the fetus in many cases. It also increases the risk of a sudden infant death of the infant. The infant is particularly at risk when smoking in the apartment and in its vicinity. Nicotine interferes with the control of vital functions in the child’s body.
Sudden infant death: examinations and diagnosis
When a small child dies from sudden infant death, the affected parents are first questioned. As a result, the doctor wants as many details about the history, ie from the beginning of pregnancy to sudden infant death experience. Particularly important is the situation in which the parents found their child. This is called the assessment of the so-called “death scene”. In this way, possible risk factors should be identified or excluded.
Subsequently, the infant, who died of sudden infant death, is autopsied. This means that forensic doctors or pathologists examine the body of the child. If the parents agree, a pathologist performs the autopsy. If not, the investigating prosecutor decides what to do next. An autopsy ordered by him then takes over a lawyer. They should clarify whether internal causes or a third-party fault could have caused the presumed sudden infant death syndrome.
The diagnosis “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome” or “SIDS” is therefore an exclusion diagnosis. The causes of sudden infant death can not be clarified by the physicians in this way.
Sudden Infant Deaths: Prevent
Unfortunately, one can not prevent the sudden infant death syndrome. However, there are some measures that lower the risk of SIDS. As a reminder, according to the current doctrine of opinion, the “3 R”:Rback to sleep, Rempty bed, Ralso free environment. They cover the key points of the current medical guidelines “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome”:
Lay your child on the back for sleeping
The most effective measure against sudden infant death syndrome is not to put the baby on the stomach to sleep. Put it on your back. Your child can breathe well in this position.
The less bedding, the better
You should also not put extra towels, pillows, stuffed animals or animal skins to bed. It can quickly be too warm for your child. Besides, it may not breathe freely anymore. Pay attention to a firm sleeping pad. So your child can not sink too much. Also avoid duvets and pillows.
Use a sleeping bag
Ideally, put your child to sleep in a sleeping bag. This should have an age-appropriate size. It ensures a constant temperature. Above all, it prevents the turning into the prone position, which favors the sudden infant death. Nevertheless, your child can move his arms freely. If you do not have a sleeping bag, cover the child with a flat blanket and tuck it tight. As a result, the child can not easily curl up in the bedding and slip his head under the blanket.
Avoid too much heat
A room temperature of about 18 degrees Celsius is completely sufficient for your child. In addition, it reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. In addition to little bedding, your child should also sleep in a cot. Do not be afraid, your child could be too cold. The well-known baby fat is a special heat storage, which acts for infants like a water heater.
Do not leave her baby in his bed, but not alone
This point has been discussed in the past as a SIDS risk factor. Some scientists believe that sleeping with a baby in a parental bed reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. However, one study states that newborns are even more likely to be affected by sudden infant death syndrome in co-sleeping.
So place your child in a separate bed and put it next to your parent’s bed. This allows you to act in a timely manner and to prevent a sudden infant death syndrome.
Take care of the preventive appointments
The regular check-ups are important to detect possible diseases or developmental disorders in the baby early. In addition, your pediatrician may give you useful advice on the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome. Signs of known disease symptoms should be taken seriously. Do not hesitate to visit the pediatrician. Because infections increase the risk of SIDS. So you can prevent sudden infant death syndrome, for example, if you have a cold treated properly.
Have your child vaccinated right there. Some parents are very critical of early vaccinations. Also, the concern that a sudden infant death syndrome could be favored by the recommended vaccinations, is repeatedly formulated. However, there is no scientific evidence for such a connection. On the contrary, a good vaccine protection also means an improved protection against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Breastfeeding and pacifiers could protect
Even if one does not know exactly the reason: Several studies have shown that the pacifier lowers the risk of sudden infant death on average by up to 30 percent. The benefit is explained by the fact that sucking on the pacifier trains and expands the upper respiratory tract. In addition, babies sleep less deeply. But you should not impose the pacifier on your baby.
The medical guidelines on sudden infant death syndrome also recommend that you breastfeed your baby during the first year of life. As long as you can. In the past, it was assumed that a pacifier reduced the degree of breastfeeding. According to research today, both measures together reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Smoke-free environment!
Smoking increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Do not smoke during or after pregnancy. This also applies to the father, relatives and friends who are in the vicinity of the baby or the pregnant woman. Only in a smoke-free environment can you effectively protect your child and reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome.
Learning to revive
The precursor to sudden infant death is the so-called “death-strike” (ALTE). Previously, this emergency situation was also called Near-SIDS. At the same time the child does not breathe and move (respiratory arrest, hypotonia). The heart beats too slowly (bradycardia) and the baby is bluish (cyanosis). If the lifeless infant is detected early enough, resuscitation measures can save the child from sudden infant death. In special courses, parents can learn these resuscitation measures. After such an incident, however, the risk of SIDS is significantly increased.
Monitor risk children
The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is also increased in children with known respiratory disorders. Some doctors recommend monitoring the affected child with a home monitor. The monitor monitors vital functions of the newborn such as breathing and heart rate. Parents should, however, be well-trained in handling the equipment and be informed about their informative value. Because false alarms disturb the child and disturb the parents unnecessarily. Without expert assistance, experts advise against this form of monitoring. In addition, it has not been proven to what extent the child is protected from sudden infant death due to more intensive surveillance.
Even if parents have already lost a child to sudden infant death, the risk for a following sibling is increased. Monitoring with Monitor is not recommended. Rather, doctors recommend regular medical checks. If parents avoid risk factors, they better protect their baby from sudden infant death syndrome.
Sudden infant death: advice and help
Sudden infant deaths are a major trauma to parents and siblings. Many parents seek their guilt and blame themselves. In addition, detectives investigate to rule out child killing. Not infrequently, those affected withdraw.
Relatives and friends can help in the mourning process. In addition, there are parent support groups in many countries (GEPS Germany, SIDS International, SIDS Austria). With other victims, the sometimes long-lasting pain through child death can be processed better. It’s best that both parents go to these meetings together. This promotes and consolidates the relationship. Because studies show that six months after the sudden infantile deaths, partnership crises occur most frequently.
Why the autopsy can help
Even though many parents find it difficult to get used to the idea of opening a corpse, this is the only way the pathologist can diagnose Sudden infant death for which other causes have to be excluded. The findings from the autopsy can help with the bereavement.