Kock, J. 2004, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) In Southern Nevada, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-04-03

Definition of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant, usually under one year of age, which remains unexplained after a complete medical history, death scene investigation, and postmortem examination.

Script that goes with overhead #1

(Note to instructor: SIDS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Before a SIDS diagnosis is given, a medical history, death scene investigation and autopsy must occur and all other causes of death must be ruled out.)

(Note to instructor: Autopsies are mandatory for children who die suddenly and unexpectedly in the State of Nevada.)

Facts About SIDS: What It Is

Leading cause of death of infants from one month to one year of age
Occurred as frequently in the 18th and 19th centuries as now
Cannot be predicted or prevented
Victims appear to be healthy prior to death
Death occurs very rapidly, usually during a period of sleep
None of the possible causes of SIDS should result in pain or suffering to the baby

Script that goes with overhead #2

Notes to instructor:

SIDS is not something that is a recent phenomenon or that has recently been discovered. SIDS deaths have occurred for a long time.
There is no way to “screen” babies and determine if they are at risk for SIDS
SIDS cannot be prevented. Recommendations can only be made to reduce the risk or chance of a SIDS death. However, some people follow all the risk reduction recommendations and death still occurs.
Some people have been in the same room at the same time a SIDS death has occurred and did not hear the baby struggle. The death occurs quickly and SIDS infants do not appear to suffer any pain.

Facts About SIDS: What It Is NOT

NOT caused by external suffocation
NOT caused by vomiting and choking
NOT caused by DPT shots or other immunizations
NOT caused by sleeping parent rolling over onto the infant
NOT contagious
NOT caused by lack of love

I. General and Common Characteristics of SIDS Infants

Age:
- 90% of SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age
- 70% of these deaths occur between 2 and 4 months of age
Season:
- More deaths occur in the winter and fall months
Population
- Approximately 6,000 babies die of SIDS in the U.S. each year
- Twenty babies died in Clark Co. in 1998 and 1999
- Occurs at the rate of 1 per 700 live births
- 60% male vs. 40% female
- SIDS affects babies of all races, religions, and ethnic groups
Increased risk or higher rates for:
- Low birth weight babies, under 2,500 grams or 5-6 pounds
- Premature babies
- Babies of mothers who smoke during or after pregnancy
- Babies of multiple births (twins or triplets)
- Babies born within 18 months of one another
- Babies of younger mothers

Script that goes with overhead #7
II. Overview of Current Theories & Research

A. Triple Risk Model (Instructor note: Show overhead or handout).

Critical Development Period (Instructor note: 90% of SIDS deaths occur during the first six months of life, with a peak at 2-4 months. During this Critical Development Period, babies are at an increased risk for SIDS because their bodies are undergoing many changes in their development.)
Vulnerable Infant (Instructor note: Researchers believe SIDS infants may have some sort of subtle defect they are not yet able to detect. These infants are thought to be vulnerable in some way and represented as the Vulnerable Infant, in the Triple Risk Model. Some doctors believe that low birth weight or prematurity may be the only vulnerability factor that needs to be present to increase the risk of SIDS.)
Outside Stressors (Instructor note: Combining the other two with an Outside Stressor, or environmental stress/risk factor may “trigger” a SIDS event. This is the only area we can address at this time.)

The Cause(s) of SIDS is Unknown

Different things may interact with one another to result in a SIDS death.
There are many research theories looking at why SIDS deaths occur.
Most research points to a malfunction in the lower part of the brain.

The malfunction in the lower part of the brain may result in an infant’s inability to:

Respond to a lack of oxygen
Respond to elevated levels of carbon dioxide
Control blood pressure
Control heart rate
Regulate body temperature
Keep airways open

Risk Reduction Recommendations

Sleep Position

AAP Statement on Sleep Position
“Back to Sleep” Campaign

SIDS in Child Care

Researchers are concerned that there is an increased risk for SIDS when a baby is traditionally placed on their back to sleep at home and then placed for the first, second or third time on their tummy to sleep in someone else’s care.
It is crucial for providers to speak with the parents of babies in their care about the back-sleeping recommendation

Bedding

Bedding becomes especially important as the infant becomes older and starts to choose his or her own sleep position.
Avoid placing the baby on soft quilts or comforters, fluffy pillows, waterbeds, or sheepskins. Bumper pads are not recommended if the slats of the crib are no wider than 2 and 3/8 inches. Stuffed animals should not be placed in the crib with the baby.

Temperature

Do not overbundle or overdress the baby. Dress the baby in one (thin) layer more than you may dress.

Smoking

Babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy have a 3 times higher risk of SIDS. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke have a 2 times higher risk of SIDS.

Breastfeeding

Some researchers have found that breastfeeding is a protective factor for SIDS.
Prenatal Care and Well-Baby Care

Script that goes with overhead #13

Prenatal care can reduce the chance of the mother having baby too early or a baby that is too small, both of which are risk factors for SIDS.
An Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) may be present right before or at the time of death and may serve as a triggering event for a SIDS death. Therefore, it is also important for parents to take babies to the doctor on a regular basis.

Emergency Guidelines For Child Care Providers

Start CPR • Notify the Paramedics—Call 911
Notify the child’s parents
Notify your child care licensing agency
Notify Clark County SIDS Community Awareness Alliance 702-455-3894

Death Scene Investigations

Law enforcement officials are required to do death scene investigations in all cases of sudden and unexpected deaths
The provider can give important information, which will assist the medical examiner in making an accurate diagnosis.
These questions are not meant to imply the caregiver has done anything wrong.

Summary

Although this can be a “tearful” subject, let’s end on a positive note.

43% decrease in SIDS deaths nationally since 1995
Cause of SIDS not known
Can respond to SIDS by reducing risk factors
1. “Back to Sleep” campaign
2. Bedding
3. No smoking
4. Breastfeeding
5. Control temperature
6. Prenatal and well-baby check-up

Learn more about the author(s)

YaeBin Kim

Also of Interest:

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) In Southern Nevada

Definition of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Script that goes with overhead #1

(Note to instructor: Autopsies are mandatory for children who die suddenly and unexpectedly in the State of Nevada.)

Facts About SIDS: What It Is

Leading cause of death of infants from one month to one year of age
Occurred as frequently in the 18th and 19th centuries as now
Cannot be predicted or prevented
Victims appear to be healthy prior to death
Death occurs very rapidly, usually during a period of sleep
None of the possible causes of SIDS should result in pain or suffering to the baby

Script that goes with overhead #2

Notes to instructor:

SIDS is not something that is a recent phenomenon or that has recently been discovered. SIDS deaths have occurred for a long time.
There is no way to “screen” babies and determine if they are at risk for SIDS
SIDS cannot be prevented. Recommendations can only be made to reduce the risk or chance of a SIDS death. However, some people follow all the risk reduction recommendations and death still occurs.
Some people have been in the same room at the same time a SIDS death has occurred and did not hear the baby struggle. The death occurs quickly and SIDS infants do not appear to suffer any pain.

Facts About SIDS: What It Is NOT

NOT caused by external suffocation
NOT caused by vomiting and choking
NOT caused by DPT shots or other immunizations
NOT caused by sleeping parent rolling over onto the infant
NOT contagious
NOT caused by lack of love

I. General and Common Characteristics of SIDS Infants

Age:
- 90% of SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age
- 70% of these deaths occur between 2 and 4 months of age
Season:
- More deaths occur in the winter and fall months
Population
- Approximately 6,000 babies die of SIDS in the U.S. each year
- Twenty babies died in Clark Co. in 1998 and 1999
- Occurs at the rate of 1 per 700 live births
- 60% male vs. 40% female
- SIDS affects babies of all races, religions, and ethnic groups
Increased risk or higher rates for:
- Low birth weight babies, under 2,500 grams or 5-6 pounds
- Premature babies
- Babies of mothers who smoke during or after pregnancy
- Babies of multiple births (twins or triplets)
- Babies born within 18 months of one another
- Babies of younger mothers

Script that goes with overhead #7
II. Overview of Current Theories & Research

A. Triple Risk Model (Instructor note: Show overhead or handout).

Critical Development Period (Instructor note: 90% of SIDS deaths occur during the first six months of life, with a peak at 2-4 months. During this Critical Development Period, babies are at an increased risk for SIDS because their bodies are undergoing many changes in their development.)
Vulnerable Infant (Instructor note: Researchers believe SIDS infants may have some sort of subtle defect they are not yet able to detect. These infants are thought to be vulnerable in some way and represented as the Vulnerable Infant, in the Triple Risk Model. Some doctors believe that low birth weight or prematurity may be the only vulnerability factor that needs to be present to increase the risk of SIDS.)
Outside Stressors (Instructor note: Combining the other two with an Outside Stressor, or environmental stress/risk factor may “trigger” a SIDS event. This is the only area we can address at this time.)

The Cause(s) of SIDS is Unknown

Different things may interact with one another to result in a SIDS death.
There are many research theories looking at why SIDS deaths occur.
Most research points to a malfunction in the lower part of the brain.

The malfunction in the lower part of the brain may result in an infant’s inability to:

Respond to a lack of oxygen
Respond to elevated levels of carbon dioxide
Control blood pressure
Control heart rate
Regulate body temperature
Keep airways open

Risk Reduction Recommendations

Sleep Position

AAP Statement on Sleep Position
“Back to Sleep” Campaign

SIDS in Child Care

Researchers are concerned that there is an increased risk for SIDS when a baby is traditionally placed on their back to sleep at home and then placed for the first, second or third time on their tummy to sleep in someone else’s care.
It is crucial for providers to speak with the parents of babies in their care about the back-sleeping recommendation

Bedding

Bedding becomes especially important as the infant becomes older and starts to choose his or her own sleep position.
Avoid placing the baby on soft quilts or comforters, fluffy pillows, waterbeds, or sheepskins. Bumper pads are not recommended if the slats of the crib are no wider than 2 and 3/8 inches. Stuffed animals should not be placed in the crib with the baby.

Temperature

Do not overbundle or overdress the baby. Dress the baby in one (thin) layer more than you may dress.

Smoking

Babies of mothers who smoke during pregnancy have a 3 times higher risk of SIDS. Babies exposed to second-hand smoke have a 2 times higher risk of SIDS.

Breastfeeding

Some researchers have found that breastfeeding is a protective factor for SIDS.
Prenatal Care and Well-Baby Care

Script that goes with overhead #13

Prenatal care can reduce the chance of the mother having baby too early or a baby that is too small, both of which are risk factors for SIDS.
An Upper Respiratory Infection (URI) may be present right before or at the time of death and may serve as a triggering event for a SIDS death. Therefore, it is also important for parents to take babies to the doctor on a regular basis.

Emergency Guidelines For Child Care Providers

Start CPR • Notify the Paramedics—Call 911
Notify the child’s parents
Notify your child care licensing agency
Notify Clark County SIDS Community Awareness Alliance 702-455-3894

Death Scene Investigations

Law enforcement officials are required to do death scene investigations in all cases of sudden and unexpected deaths
The provider can give important information, which will assist the medical examiner in making an accurate diagnosis.
These questions are not meant to imply the caregiver has done anything wrong.

Summary

Although this can be a “tearful” subject, let’s end on a positive note.

43% decrease in SIDS deaths nationally since 1995
Cause of SIDS not known
Can respond to SIDS by reducing risk factors
1. “Back to Sleep” campaign
2. Bedding
3. No smoking
4. Breastfeeding
5. Control temperature
6. Prenatal and well-baby check-up

Published by: Kock, J., 2004, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) In Southern Nevada, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, CM-04-03

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (Sids) In Southern Nevada

Definition of Sudden Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Script that goes with overhead #1

Facts About SIDS: What It Is

Script that goes with overhead #2

Facts About SIDS: What It Is NOT

I. General and Common Characteristics of SIDS Infants

Script that goes with overhead #7 II. Overview of Current Theories & Research

The Cause(s) of SIDS is Unknown

The malfunction in the lower part of the brain may result in an infant’s inability to:

Risk Reduction Recommendations

SIDS in Child Care

Bedding

Temperature

Smoking

Breastfeeding

Script that goes with overhead #13

Emergency Guidelines For Child Care Providers

Death Scene Investigations

Summary

Learn more about the author(s)

Also of Interest:

Script that goes with overhead #7
II. Overview of Current Theories & Research