Is It Possible To Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an unexplained death in a baby less than a year old. Not much is known about the causes and no specific treatment exists. Usually, it is unpredictable. That’s why it’s a problem that worries parents.

In this article, we will talk about sudden infant death and discuss whether it is possible to take some action to prevent it.

What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)?

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is an unexplained death in a baby less than a year old. It occurs, apparently, while the baby is sleeping.

There is no medical explanation for it,  not even after studying the environment in which it occurred, the history of the newborn and after an autopsy of the baby. 

It is believed that the psychological cause of sudden death is that the  baby’s brain is not mature enough. Specifically, it is the area that controls breathing and sleep. This immaturity makes the baby unable to wake up reflexively when there is a lack of oxygen.

Under normal circumstances, when the body senses a lack of oxygen, it will send a signal so that the baby wakes up and cries. When the baby cries, it receives the oxygen it needs. In these cases, the brain does not send this signal and the baby does not wake up. It causes the amount of oxygen in the body to decrease.

Risk factors

Although the current cause of sudden infant death is not known, as we have already mentioned,  experts have identified certain situations where it is most likely to occur.

The most important risk factor is to place the baby on its stomach when it needs to sleep. This is why it is recommended that the baby be laid on its back. Some other risk factors are:

• Boys are a little more likely to die of SIDS.
• A premature or underweight baby.
• A baby who has difficulty ingesting fluids or food, or a baby who has deformities in the face.
• A newborn who has suffered from  a respiratory or gastrointestinal infection. 
• A family story with SIDS.
• A mother who has smoked during pregnancy or after childbirth.
• Excessive heat or excessive wrapping of the baby.
• Sharing bed with parents. 

Can the sudden death of an infant be prevented?

Since pediatricians began recommending placing babies on their backs when they needed to sleep, the number of sudden infant deaths has dropped markedly. As we have mentioned above, it is one of the primary risk factors if the baby is sleeping on his stomach. Therefore, you can improve your baby’s breathing and safety by ensuring that the baby sleeps on its back.

One can also take other steps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death in one’s baby. Some of them are:

• Take to prenatal care at a health center. Regular checks are important to detect potential health problems.
• The mother should eat a balanced diet. In addition, it is also important that the mother avoids smoking or ingesting other drugs. Both aspects are important, both during pregnancy and when the baby is born.
• You need to make sure you keep your baby away from places with tobacco smoke.
• Let the newborn lie on a flat and firm mattress. Excessively soft mattresses increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
• According to experts,  the baby should sleep in the same room as his parents,  but  without sharing the same bed. That way, parents can better keep an eye on their baby.
• Avoid excessive heat, both from the environment and by giving the baby too much clothing on or wrapping the baby in too many blankets.

• Breastfeeding is considered a protective factor against sudden infant death syndrome.

Shortly said

Sudden infant death is a complex issue that experts do not know much about. However, the implementation of these recommendations has led to a significant decrease in the number of cases.

It is important that parents receive good education around the birth of their baby or take preparation courses. In addition, it is also very important that both the baby and the mother come for medical check-ups.