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Lakewood, NJ - For expectant or new parents, there may be nothing more frightening or horrifying than the idea that their perfectly healthy baby could die in his or her sleep, seemingly without any cause or reason. October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month – a time to educate parents, grandparents and caregivers about the risk factors associated with SIDS and how to reduce them.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), while death rates from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also known as crib death, have dropped over the last decade, it is still the leading cause of infant mortality for babies one month to one year of age in this country. SIDS results in approximately 2500 infant deaths in the U.S. each year. Ninety percent of SIDS cases occur in infants under six months of age, most in babies between two and four months old. SIDS is more common among African American and Native American infants, occurs more frequently in males, and slightly more often during colder months of the year.
While the cause of SIDS remains unclear, there’s no sure way to prevent it. There are, however, steps that parents, grandparents and caregivers can take to reduce the risk of SIDS and improve the health and well-being of their baby in the process.
“Research has shown that the mother’s health during pregnancy and the health of her unborn child influences the risk of SIDS,” explains says Eric Lehnes, M.D., chairman of the Obstetrics & Gynecology Department at Kimball Medical Center in Lakewood.
“Good prenatal care that includes regular checkups beginning early in the pregnancy, vitamins, proper nutrition and avoiding dangerous substances that can harm the fetus – such as alcohol, drugs, and smoking – can make a big difference in the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome,” he adds.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) babies born premature, with low birth weights, to young mothers (under age 20), those who had late or no prenatal care, and those who smoked during pregnancy are known to be at an increased risk for SIDS.
Once your baby has arrived, according to Dr. Lehnes, there are other steps you can take that reduce the risk of SIDS, one of the most significant is the baby’s sleeping position. “Placing babies on their backs, face up to sleep is the single most important step that parents and other caregivers can take to reduce the risk of SIDS. Infants who fall asleep on their stomachs should be gently turned onto their backs,” Dr. Lehnes notes.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), their recommendation that all babies be put to sleep on their back, known as the 'Back to Sleep' campaign began in 1994 and has since reduced the rate of SIDS by 50 percent. According to the AAP, 2,000 fewer infants die of SIDS in the U.S. each year due to this simple step.
“Other ways to reduce the risk of sudden death is to ensure that your child’s crib or bassinet meets all safety standards, and that they’re sleeping on a firm, flat mattress,” he adds. All pillows, quilts, comforters, stuffed animals, toys and loose bedding that could pose a suffocation hazard should be removed from the sleeping area. Babies should not sleep on their stomach or on soft surfaces such as waterbeds, sheepskins or sofas, again because of the risk of suffocation.
Physicians, like Dr. Lehnes, urge new mothers to consider breastfeeding their babies whenever possible. Studies show that breastfeeding offers a number of health benefits to new babies, one of which may be protection against SIDS. Recommendations also include using a pacifier during nap and bedtimes which also seems to reduce the risk of SIDS.
“Babies should not be allowed to get overheated,” Dr. Lehnes says, noting that room temperature is also key to reducing the risk for SIDS. According to the AAP, an overheated baby is more likely to go into a deep sleep from which it is difficult to arouse. “Keep the temperature in the baby's room at a level that feels comfortable to you and avoid overdressing the baby,” he adds.
“Never use a blanket or other covering over your baby's face as a sun or weather screen, or to block out distractions or sounds while your baby is sleeping,” says Dr. Lehnes. According to the doctor, bedding that can bunch up or surround the baby's face can obstruct the mouth and nose, putting the child at risk for SIDS.
While most experts discourage the practice of parents and infants sharing a bed, citing a variety of safety concerns, Dr. Lehnes says that room-sharing offers a viable alternative. “Keeping the baby next to the adult bed in a separate crib or bassinet provides greater safety for the infant. It offers the close proximity many new parents need for peace of mind, and facilitates night time feeding and breastfeeding,” he notes.
Ensuring a healthy, smoke-free environment is also critical for babies’ health. “Exposure to secondhand smoke in the home doubles a baby's risk of SIDS,” says Dr. Lehnes. Components of tobacco smoke are believed to interfere with an infant's developing lungs and nervous system, and disrupt a baby's ability to wake from sleep.
While preventing the tragedy of SIDS may not always be possible, knowing the risk factors and taking steps to reduce them – and making sure that baby sitters, child care providers, grandparents and everyone who cares for your infant do the same – can help lower the risk of sudden infant death and hopefully give your baby every chance for good health.
To contact or schedule an appointment with Dr. Eric Lehnes, or another Obstetrician/Gynecologist affiliated with Kimball Medical Center, please call 1-888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
Date: October 29, 2008
CONTACT: Carrie Cristello
Director, Public Relations
732-923-6552
ccristello@sbhcs.com
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