Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Research Proposal Example

SIDS Samson Varghese Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Introduction A lack of answers is part of what makes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) so frightening. SIDS is the leading cause of death among infants 1 month to 1 year old, and claims the lives of about 2,500 each year in the United States. It remains unpredictable despite years of research. Even so, the risk of SIDS can be greatly reduced. First and foremost, infants younger than 1 year old should be placed on their backs'to sleep - never face-down on their stomachs. Typically the infant is found dead after having been put to bed, and exhibits no signs of having suffered General information and case studies "SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant who is younger than 1 year old. It's a frightening prospect because it can strike without warning, usually in seemingly healthy babies. Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep (hence the common reference to "crib death") and infants who die of SIDS show no signs of suffering"(Floyd R. Livingston Jr., MD) Most deaths due to SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age, and incidence increases during cold weather. African-American infants are twice as likely and Native American infants are SIDS 2 about three times more likely to die of SIDS than Caucasian infants. More boys than girls fall victim to SIDS. "The study's authors state that the results indicate that the pattern of abnormalities-more serotonin neurons, an apparent reduction of serotonin 1A receptors, and insufficient serotonin transporter-suggested that the level of serotonin in the brainstems of the SIDS infants was abnormal. They were also able to count serotonin-using cells, and estimate their prevalence in the brainstem, something that had not been possible previously. In future studies, the researchers plan to examine the role of other serotonin receptor subtypes in both lab animals and in SIDS cases. Moreover, they are also planning to test selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in pregnant lab animals, to see if the drugs have an effect on the fetal animals' developing brainstems in regions that are affected in SIDS infants.( Chuck Mihalko SIDS and serotonin-using brain cells) B. Causes Very little is certain about the possible causes of SIDS, and there is no proven method for prevention. Although studies have identified risk factors for SIDS, such as putting infants to bed on their stomachs, there has been little understanding of the syndrome's biological cause or causes. The following reason are speculated they are not supported by any evidences; maternal nicotine use (tobacco or nicotine patch), inadequate prenatal care, inadequate prenatal, use of heroin, subsequent births less than one year apart, alcohol use, being overweight, Teen SIDS 3 pregnancy (the more babies a teen mother has, the greater the risk), infant's sex (61% of SIDS cases occur in males), low birth weight (especially less than 1.5 kg ('3.3 lb)), exposure to tobacco smoke, prone sleep position (lying on the stomach), lack of breastfeeding, elevated room temperature, excess bedding, clothing, soft sleep surface and stuffed animals, infant's age (incidence rises from zero at birth, is highest from two to four months, and declines towards zero at one year), premature birth (increases risk of SIDS death by 50 times) Also, infants who succumb to SIDS may have an abnormality in the arcuate nucleus, a part of the brain that may help control breathing and awakening 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. That movement changes the breathing and heart rate, making up for the lack of oxygen. But a problem with the arcuate nucleus could deprive the baby of this involuntary reaction and put Preventions Although health care professionals don't know what causes SIDS, they do know ways to reduce the risk. These include Placing babies on their backs to sleep, even for short naps - "tummy time" is for when babies are awake and someone is watching Using a firm sleep surface, such as a crib mattress covered with a fitted sheet SIDS 4 Keeping soft objects and loose bedding away from sleep area Making sure babies don't get too hot - keep the room at a comfortable temperature for an adult Do not smoke, drink, or use drugs while pregnant and do not expose your baby to secondhand smoke. Infants of mothers who smoked during pregnancy are three times more likely to die of SIDS than those whose mothers were smoke-free; exposure to secondhand smoke doubles a baby's risk of SIDS. Researchers speculate that smoking might affect the central nervous system, starting prenatally and continuing after birth, which could place the baby at increased risk. Receive early and regular prenatal care. Make sure your baby has regular well-baby checkups. Breastfeed, if possible. There is some evidence that breastfeeding may help decrease the incidence of SIDS. The reason for this is not clear, though researchers think that breast milk may help protect babies from infections that increase the risk of SIDS. If your baby has GERD, be sure to follow your doctor's guidelines on feeding and sleep positions. SIDS 5 Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier during the first year of life. If your baby rejects the pacifier, don't force it. Pacifiers have been linked with lower risk of SIDS. If you're breastfeeding, try to wait until after the baby is 1 month old so that breastfeeding can be established. While infants can be brought into a parent's bed for nursing or comforting, parents should return them to their cribs or bassinets when they're ready to sleep. It's a good idea to keep the cribs and bassinets in the room where parents' sleep. This has been linked with a lower risk of SIDS. (Floyd R. Livingston Jr., MD) Use of Air conditioner According to a study of nearly 500 babies published the October 2008 Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, using a fan to circulate air correlates with a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Researchers took into account other risk factors and found that fan use was associated with a 72% lower risk of SIDS. Only 3% of the babies who died had a fan on in the room during their last sleep, the mothers reported. That compared to 12% of the babies who lived. Using a fan reduced risk most for babies in poor sleeping environments. Author De-Kun li said that "the baby's sleeping environment really matters" and that "this seems to suggest that by improving room ventilation we can further reduce risk SIDS 6 "It is important that you keep your baby's room at a safe and comfortable temperature. Babies who get too hot are at an increased risk of SIDS. A baby can get too hot because the room temperature is too warm or because they are covered with too many blankets, bedding or clothing". (Sudden infant death syndrome) However, even though babies who get too hot are more at risk of SIDS, you should also make sure that your baby does not get too cold. You should aim to keep your baby's room temperature between 16-20C (61-68F). Bedding Use a firm sleep surface: Soft materials or objects such as pillows, quilts, comforters, or sheepskins should not be placed under a sleeping infant. A firm crib mattress, covered by a sheet, is the recommended sleeping surface.SIDS is less common in babies who sleep on their back. "Put your baby to sleep on his or her back on a firm flat surface. You do not need anything special to do this. Babies who sleep on their back are not more likely to choke. Some babies have a medical problem that means they must sleep on their tummy. Ask your doctor which position is best for your child"( Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)) Babies should always be laid to sleep on their back, with their feet touching the foot of the cot. Sheets or thin blankets should be tucked in and made up so that they come no higher than your baby's shoulders, to prevent them wriggling under the covers. Make sure the covers are securely tucked in so they cannot slip over your baby's head. When your baby is awake, they should spend time in a variety of positions and not just on their back. For example, you can let your baby play on its SIDS 7 tummy (as long as you make sure that they do not fall asleep on their front). This will help them learn how to control their head. And it encourages healthy development. Because babies should always sleep on their backs, you may notice your baby's head becomes slightly flatter on one side. Electronic monitoring Do not use home monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS: Electronic respiratory and cardiac monitors are available to detect cardio respiratory arrest and may be of value for home monitoring of selected infants who are deemed to have extreme cardio respiratory instability. However, there is no evidence that use of such home monitors decreases the incidence of SIDS. Furthermore, there is no evidence that infants at increased risk of SIDS can be identified by in hospital respiratory or cardiac monitoring Diet Breastfeeding is good for your baby. Breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby. It has many benefits and may give some protection against SIDS. It is really important that parents who have lost a child due to SIDS should not blame themselves. Until the cause or causes of SIDS are found, research can only show us how to reduce the risks. SIDS 8 Conclusion As Dr. Carol told the Baltimore Sun "I don't use the term prevention in connection with SIDS anymore"( Joani Nelson Horchler, Robin Rice) SIDS cannot be avoided completely since its exact reason is unknown. But the risk factors can be reduced a lot by keeping some standards in the life styles SIDS 9 Sources 1. Floyd R. Livingston Jr., MD SIDS Retrieved on 6/12/08 http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sleep/sids.html 2. Chuck Mihalko Executive Manager SIDS Network Chuck Mihalko SIDS and serotonin-using brain cells Retrieved on 6/12/08 http://sids-network.org/experts/serotonin_061031.htm 3. Sudden infant death syndrome Retrieved on 6/12/08 http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pages/Prevention.aspx'url=Pages/what-is-it.aspx 4. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Retrieved on 6/12/08 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/dca-dea/prenatal/sids-eng.php 5. Joani Nelson Horchler, Robin RiceSIDS & Infant Death Survival Guide: Information and Comfort for Grieving Family & Friends & Professionals Who Seek to Help Them Page 266 Publisher: Sids Educational Services Inc.; 3 edition (January 31, 2003) http://www.amazon.com/SIDS-Infant-Death-Survival-Guide/dp/0964121824/ref=sr_1_1'ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1228442342&sr=1-1 Read More

 

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