SIDS is part of a larger category of unexpected as opposed to unexplained infant deaths called SUDI sudden unexpected death in infancy. Babies who die suddenly but whose causes of death are later explained infection, brain abnormality, cardiac dysfunction, etc. SIDS is a mysterious syndrome, since by its very definition the cause cannot be determined.
But certain risk factors do exist. Some babies are more at risk than others. For example, SIDS is more likely to affect a baby who is between 1 and 4 months old, it is more common in boys than girls, and most deaths occur during the fall, winter and early spring months. While the cause of SIDS is unknown, many clinicians and researchers believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to arouse from sleep, to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.
When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide. Normally, rising carbon dioxide levels activate nerve cells in the brainstem, which stimulate the brain's respiratory and arousal centers. Experts believe SIDS occurs at a particular stage in a baby's development and that it affects babies vulnerable to certain environmental stresses. This vulnerability may be caused by being born prematurely or having a low birthweight, or because of other reasons that have not been identified yet.
Environmental stresses could include tobacco smoke, getting tangled in bedding, a minor illness or a breathing obstruction.
There's also an association between co-sleeping sleeping with your baby on a bed, sofa or chair and SIDS. Babies who die of SIDS are thought to have problems in the way they respond to these stresses and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing and temperature.
Although the cause of SIDS is not fully understood, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk. Read more about reducing the risk of SIDS. Babies often have minor illnesses that you do not need to worry about. Give your baby plenty of fluids to drink and do not let them get too hot. Read more about spotting signs of serious illness in children. If a baby dies suddenly and unexpectedly, there will need to be an investigation into how and why they died.
Most SIDS deaths happen in babies 2 to 4 months old, and cases rise during cold weather. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS. Doctors diagnose most health problems based on the symptoms they cause. But most SIDS diagnoses come only after all other possible causes of death have been ruled out. This review helps tell true SIDS deaths from those due to accidents, abuse, and previously undiagnosed conditions, such as cardiac or metabolic disorders. SIDS is more likely among babies placed on their stomachs to sleep than among those sleeping on their backs.
Babies also should not be placed on their sides to sleep. A baby can easily roll from a side position onto the belly during sleep. Some researchers believe that stomach sleeping may block the airway and hurt breathing. Stomach sleeping can increase "rebreathing" — when a baby breathes in his or her own exhaled air — particularly if the infant is sleeping on a soft mattress or with bedding, stuffed toys, or a pillow near the face. As the baby rebreathes exhaled air, the oxygen level in the body drops and the level of carbon dioxide rises.
Infants who die from SIDS may have a problem with the part of the brain that helps control breathing and waking during sleep. If a baby is breathing stale air and not getting enough oxygen, the brain usually triggers the baby to wake up and cry to get more oxygen. If the brain is not picking up this signal, oxygen levels will continue to fall.
In response to evidence that stomach sleeping might contribute to SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP created its "Back to Sleep" campaign, which recommended that all healthy infants younger than 1 year of age be placed on their backs to sleep. Babies should be placed on their backs until 12 months of age. Older infants may not stay on their backs all night long, and that's OK. Once babies consistently roll over from front to back and back to front, it's fine for them to be in the sleep position they choose.
There's no need to use positioners, wedges, and other devices that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Some parents might worry about " flat head syndrome " positional plagiocephaly. This is when babies develop a flat spot on the back of their heads from spending too much time lying on their backs. Since the "Back to Sleep" campaign, this has become more common — but is easily treatable by changing a baby's position in the crib and allowing for more supervised "tummy time" while he or she is awake.
Many parents fear that babies put to sleep on their backs could choke on spit-up or vomit.
0コメント