SIDS Prevention
Keeping Your Baby Safe
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The acronym alone can strike fear in the heart of any parent. Defined as the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant less than 1 year of age, SIDS affects 30-35 infants per year in Kansas City. By arming yourself with knowledge of the key risk factors, you will reduce your family’s chance of facing this horrible loss.
SIDS is a widely researched subject and scientists are getting closer to understanding its cause. A recent study examined and compared the brainstems of babies who died from SIDS with those of babies who died from other known causes. It seems there could be a problem with the brainstem and serotonin levels in babies who died from SIDS. These babies had 25 percent less serotonin and 22 percent lower levels of tryptophan hydroxylase, the enzyme that makes serotonin. Serotonin is important in that it aids in the regulation of breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during sleep. Researchers now believe that low serotonin levels can hinder the functionality of the brainstem circuits regulating these activities.
Cheryl Herzog-Arneill, MSW, community educator SDIS Resources, Inc., confirmed the research findings. A baby with a brainstem abnormality could lie vulnerable to re-breathing his carbon dioxide (ie: if he gets near a billowy item like a bumper pad or blanket). An infant’s brain without the malfunction will signal his body to move his head to get fresh air when he is in a re-breathing situation. Babies with a brainstem malfunction cannot respond or move to get out of dangerous breathing situations. The baby is also unable to respond to a lack of oxygen, regulate her body temperature or keep his airway open.
A test has not yet been developed to identify serotonin levels in infants, so all parents need to educate themselves about ways to reduce the risks.
Know your ABC’s
Alone to sleep
on his Back
in his Crib
A. They may be cute, but bumpers, blankets, pillows or stuffed animals in the baby’s crib are dangerous. These items can obstruct a clean airflow to your child and put him at risk. Babies should sleep on a firm mattress that has only a tight fighting crib sheet.
B. It is important to note that suffocation is not SIDS; however, placing a baby on his tummy for sleep does increase the chance for SIDS twofold. Put your baby on his back to sleep. The Back to Sleep campaign was launched in 1994 and six years later was shown to have reduced SIDS deaths by 50 percent.
C. A baby should sleep by himself and in his crib. However, sleeping near your child in the same room (room sharing, not bed sharing) is beneficial and has been linked with a lower risk of SIDS.
Because SIDS is the number one cause of death among babies under 12 months, it is also important to know that we have a great resource in our own backyard. SIDS Resources, Inc., is a not-for-profit that provides free educational training as well as free supportive services to families after the loss of an infant. Parents, educators, childcare providers, hospitals and other such groups can receive classes. For more information visit www.SIDSResources.org or call 816.569.6956.
Robin Gedman is a busy mom and wife who writes from her home in Prairie Village.