Risk Factors
While Sudden Infant Death can strike any infant, researches have noted several factors that may increase a baby's risk.
- Certain risk factors have been identified during the pregnancy. To prevent possible risk factors, maintain a healthy pregnancy by getting early and consistent prenatal care, staying within the overall weight gain goals, and stop smoking, drinking alcoholor using “street" drugs.
- Several factors increase a baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death. Some risk factors may be reduced by maintaining a healthy pregnancy, a smoke free homeand providing a safe sleep environment.
- Certain environmental aspects and baby positioning also provide risks for Sudden Infant Death.
- The Triple-Risk Model describes three conditions, that when combined, may lead to a death from SIDS.
Research indicates that some infants are at a higher risk of SIDS because of certain risk factors identified during the pregnancy: Several factors increase a baby's risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. 2009 State of Nebraska Child Death Review Team Report: Sleep-Associated Death Risk Factors Researchers use the Triple-Risk Model for examining Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The Triple-Risk Model defines three conditions, that when combined, may lead to a death from SIDS. During the baby's first 6 months of life, there is rapid change and development in the brain. This growth may be evident like the sleep and awake patterns, or very subtle changes may be seen like changes in respiration, blood pressureor temperature. The peak incidence of SIDS occurs between 1 – 4 months of age; 90% of cases occur before 6 months of age. Babies continue to be at risk for SIDS up to 12 months. Many of the babies that die of SIDS have had some form of upper respiratory infection in the prior 4 weeks. Babies born early (premature) are at a higher risk. Research shows that at the time of death, some SIDS babies have decreased levels of serotonin. An underlying brain abnormality may also make the baby vulnerable. Most babies can survive environmental stressors like second hand smoke, over-heating, and sleeping on their stomachs. However, babies that are vulnerable may not be able to overcome these outside stressors. “Although these stressors are not believed to single-handedly cause infant death, they may tip the balance against a vulnerable infant's chances of survival."(5) All three conditions of the Triple Risk Model need to be present for SIDS to occur: Risk reduction means removing as many challenges from the baby's environment as possible during their first year of life. Position the baby on their back to sleep or remove second hand smoke. Eliminating one or more of the outside stressors can reduce the risk of SIDS. 1. Pregnancy risk factors
2. Babies at Risk
3. Sleep associated risks
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death by Race/Ethnicity Total % White 16 69.6% African-American 5 21.7% Native American 2 8.7% Asian/Pacific Islander 0 0.0% Total (N) 23 100% Hispanic Ethnicity 2 8.7% Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Total % Male 15 65.2% Female 8 34.8% Total (N) 23 100% Total % Prenatal or postnatal smoke exposure 16 64% Age–inappropriate sleep surface 15 60% Found on side or stomach 13 52% Bed–sharing 12 48% Bedding–related issues 11 44% Put to sleep on side or stomach 9 36% Current/recent respiratory infection 9 36% Prenatal drug exposure 3 12% No known risk factors 0 4% Definitions for above risk factors
4. Triple Risk Model
Critical Development
Vulnerable Infant
Outside Stressors
Protective Factors
Researchers have discovered some protective measures you can take to help protect your baby from SIDS. Breastfeeding and a safe sleep environment can help.
What does a safe sleep environment look like? On their back, in their own crib, every time. Print Safe Sleep Environment. Breastfeeding studies have shown a decreased incidence of SIDS in breastfed babies. Breastfeeding is the normal way of providing babies with the nutrition needed for healthy growth and development. “Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information, and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large".(6) The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of life, with continued breastfeeding along with doctor recommended baby food up to two years of age or beyond. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of hospitalization with gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. A meta-analysis of 23 studies published up to 1997 examining the relationship between SIDS and breastfeeding found the overall risk of SIDS twice as great for formula fed infants compared with breastfed infants. Infant sleep studies have shown that breastfed infants are more easily aroused than formula-fed infants, which may be a mechanism for the protective effect of breastfeeding against SIDS.(7) Breast-feeding reduces the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by approximately 50% at all ages throughout infancy. Exclusive breast-feeding at age 1 month was associated with half the risk for SIDS. Both partial breast-feeding and exclusive breast-feeding were linked to a reduced risk for SIDS. Ever breastfeeding was associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. The advice to breastfeed should be included as a prevention measure.Mothers need to be cautious about breastfeeding in bed or any situation where you may fall asleep while breastfeeding your baby. Always place the baby back in his or her crib or bassinet after breastfeeding.(8) On their back, in their own crib, every time. Safe Sleep Environment
Breastfeeding
Documents used in the development of this content:
- About Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Online] 07 07, 2014. About SUID and SIDS
- Safe to Sleep. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. [Online] 07 07, 2014. [Cited: 07 07, 2014.] NICHD
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). KidsHealth. [Online] [Cited: 07 07, 2014.] Kids health
- SIDS Risk Factors and Causes of SIDS. SIDS America . [Online] [Cited: 07 07, 2014.] SIDS America
- Research on Possible Causes of SIDS. Safe to Sleep Public Education Campaign. [Online] 09 23, 2013. [Cited: 07 09, 2014.] NICHD
- Safe Sleeping Recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Fern Hauck, MD, MS, et al. Breastfeeding and Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. July 1, 2011, 2011, Vol. 128, 1
- World Health Organization. Health Topics Breastfeeding.07/10/1
As an expert in infant health and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), I have delved deeply into the research and evidence surrounding this critical topic. My expertise extends across various aspects, including risk factors, the Triple-Risk Model, critical development during the first six months of a baby's life, vulnerable infants, outside stressors, and protective factors such as breastfeeding and creating a safe sleep environment.
Let's break down the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
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Risk Factors:
- The article identifies several risk factors for Sudden Infant Death, including inadequate prenatal care, abnormal placenta, low weight gain during pregnancy, maternal age under 20, anemia, history of infections (STDs or urinary tract infections), and substance use during or after pregnancy.
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Babies at Risk:
- Various factors increase a baby's risk of SIDS, such as low birth weight, premature birth, male sex, race (African American, American Indian, or Native Alaskan), sleeping on the stomach, exposure to secondhand smoke, age vulnerability (1 to 6 months with peak risk at 2-3 months), and overheating/overdressing.
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Sleep-Associated Risks:
- Sleep-associated risk factors include prenatal or postnatal smoke exposure, age-inappropriate sleep surfaces, sleeping on the side or stomach, bed-sharing, bedding-related issues, and evidence of recent respiratory infections.
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Triple Risk Model:
- The Triple-Risk Model involves three conditions that, when combined, may lead to SIDS: undetected vulnerability in the baby, critical developmental period during the first six months, and the presence of outside stressors.
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Critical Development:
- Rapid changes and development in the baby's brain occur during the first six months of life, with the peak incidence of SIDS between 1 and 4 months. Babies continue to be at risk up to 12 months.
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Vulnerable Infant:
- Many SIDS victims have had upper respiratory infections in the prior 4 weeks, premature birth increases the risk, and some babies at the time of death show decreased levels of serotonin, indicating a potential underlying brain abnormality.
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Outside Stressors:
- While most babies can survive environmental stressors like secondhand smoke and overheating, vulnerable infants may not overcome these stressors.
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Protective Factors:
- Breastfeeding and a safe sleep environment are identified as protective measures against SIDS.
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Safe Sleep Environment:
- A safe sleep environment involves placing the baby on their back in their own crib for every sleep.
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Breastfeeding:
- Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased incidence of SIDS, and studies suggest a 50% reduction in risk for breastfed infants compared to formula-fed infants.
The information provided is comprehensive, drawing from credible sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, KidsHealth, and SIDS America. It emphasizes the importance of awareness, prevention, and creating a supportive environment for infant health and safety.