SIDS what you need to know

It’s probably your greatest fear, but SIDS is a reality that you need to be aware of

It’s no surprise that moms-to-be don’t want to think about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It’s a nightmarish thought that a new baby can suddenly and unexpectedly die (usually during sleep); made scarier by the fact that SIDS is still somewhat of a medical mystery. Dr Natalie Hobbs, head of emergencies at Mediclinic Vergelegen in Somerset West, confirms that there is still no medical consensus on the causes of SIDS, or “cot death”, as it is widely known. What makes it so hard to pinpoint the cause of SIDS, she explains, is that there are typically no warning signs, bodily trauma or identifiable cause of death. Dr Hobbs notes, however, that there are definite factors that can increase a baby’s risk of SIDS, which is why it’s important for all new moms to know the basics.

RISK FACTORS

Over the years doctors and researchers have come up with a long list of now discredited reasons for SIDS, such as accidental suffocation, viral or bacterial infections and hypersensitivity to cow’s milk. At one point there was even concern that vaccination may cause SIDS, as the peak age for SIDS coincides with the time for many vaccinations. However, “repeated studies have shown that vaccination is not associated with sudden death,” confirms the South African Medical Journal (SAMJ). So what are the real risk factors? According to the SAMJ, several have been clearly identified, including: Babies in the two- to fourmonth age group are at highest risk. Boys seem to be more commonly affected. SIDS-related deaths are more frequent in winter and over weekends. It is more common in poverty-stricken households. It is more common among infants with young mothers. A baby’s risk of SIDS increases if its mother smokes or takes drugs, or there is smoking allowed in the house. Babies with low birth weight are at greater risk. It’s important to remember that these are risk factors and do not necessarily mean that your baby will die of SIDS if there are one or more of these factors present. Dr Hobbs points out that SIDS seems to strike when several of these risk factors come together at the same time: a vulnerable infant, at a vulnerable period and a triggering factor.

PREVENTION

While there is no sure-fire way to prevent cot death, experts recommend a few important practices to reduce the risk:

BACK TO SLEEP

Always place your baby in the supine position (lying face up, wholly on the back) to sleep, as lying face down or on the side can increase the risk of SIDS by 50 percent. “This should be for every sleep, by every caregiver until the age of one,” stresses Dr Hobbs.

SAFE SLEEPING PLACE

Babies should sleep on a firm sleeping surface, such as a mattress, and in a safety approved cot.

CLEAR THE COT

Between 15 and 20 percent of babies who die from SIDS are found with bedclothes covering their heads,

according to the SAMJ, so it’s extremely important to make sure baby’s sleeping area is free of any loose linens (use a fitted sheet instead), toys or soft objects that might cause your baby to overheat, suffocate or become trapped.

STOP SMOKING

The risk of SIDS is five times greater for babies whose mothers smoke.

BREASTFEED

Some research has shown a reduced risk of SIDS in babies who are breastfed, while the American College of Paediatrics has reported fewer sudden deaths among babies who suck on a dummy at bedtime or naps.

CO-SLEEPING AND MONITORS

The link between sleeping in the same bed as your baby and SIDS is controversial – some studies report that it definitely increases the risk, while others say there’s not enough evidence to prove this. But what has been proven, says Dr Hobbs, is that putting your baby in your room “on a separate sleeping surface such as a cot or bassinet” – so not in bed with you – decreases the risk of SIDS by as much as 50 percent. “The first six months are especially crucial and placing the cot close to the parents’ bed so that the infant is within view and reach is an excellent way of monitoring,” she explains. While a top-of-the-range baby monitor may give you some peace of mind, Natalie points out that there’s no evidence to prove using these devices lowers the incidence of SIDS.