Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of a baby from days to years without any apparent cause. Statistics say that as a result of the syndrome of sudden death of babies, boys (about 60%) die more often, and the maximum of deaths occurs in the third to sixth month of life. For the most part, children die at night or early in the morning. In winter and spring, when viral infections are common, the cases of sudden infant death syndrome are more often recorded.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Epidemiology

According to statistics, the frequency of sudden infant death syndrome varies between 0.2 and 1.5 cases per 1000 babies. It is noteworthy that following the results of the information campaign, which explained how to reduce the likelihood of the syndrome of sudden death of infants, in Sweden and the UK, the figures dropped very significantly: by 33% and 70%, respectively.

The World Health Organization has data that the syndrome of sudden death of infants is one of the three most common causes of infant death and stands in line with congenital pathologies and intrauterine developmental disorders. In different countries it takes up to 30% in the statistics of infant mortality.

Our country does not have reliable statistics on the syndrome of sudden death of babies, low awareness of physicians leads to the fact that the case is classified as a consequence of complications of ARVI or other common diseases.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11],

Causes of the syndrome of sudden death of infants

When asked why this happens, doctors can not give an unambiguous answer, but they tend to believe that the syndrome arises from a change in the respiratory function and a violation of the heartbeat. In a dream, the cough reflex weakens, and an object accidentally found in the respiratory tract, a piece of fiber, the infant is unable to tear off, as the muscle tone that participates in the breathing process is weakened.

There is evidence that the syndrome of sudden death of babies can be a consequence of congenital pathologies of the brainstem. To this conclusion came the scientists from Boston. They insist that the syndrome of sudden death of babies is not related to the conditions of sleep. Often, a lethal outcome occurs due to stopping the breathing of a healthy child in a dream. Before that, nothing indicated a possible tragedy and autopsy can not point to the exact cause of death.

Texas researchers have suggested that the syndrome of sudden death of babies is the innate absence of a specific gene that is responsible for the passage of brain signals that change breathing when carbon dioxide accumulates. It turns out that the baby's reflexes are weakened, and he does not wake up if the normal concentration of carbon dioxide in the air is exceeded. This happens if the bedroom is poorly ventilated and the baby is overheating. Physicians consider it conditions that accompany death, but in themselves they do not lead to tragedy.

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Risk factors

Statistics indicate the presence of risk factors: overheating and insufficient ventilation of the room, smoking in the room where the baby is, too much swaddling, abdominal position during sleep, excessively soft pillow or mattress.

The risk of the syndrome is also higher if the baby was born prematurely or with low weight, a very young mother (younger than 17 years), pathological or prolonged childbirth, miscarriages and abortions, multiple births.

The researchers suggest that the reason for the sudden infant death syndrome lies in the insufficient maturity of the neurohumoral system. In children , apnea often occurs when breathing is delayed for some time; but if apnea occurs more than once in an hour, for more than 10-15 seconds, it is necessary to contact the pediatrician as soon as possible.

There is a version that the syndrome is more susceptible to children who are under the influence of constant psycho-emotional stress.

Another assumption is that the syndrome is a consequence of a heart failure: various arrhythmias, including a short heart failure, which are sometimes found in a completely healthy child. With such cases, you need to contact the pediatrician without delay.

[13], [14], [15]

Symptoms of the syndrome of sudden death of infants

Death due to sudden infant death syndrome can last from 1 to 30 minutes - the symptoms of sudden infant death syndrome develop almost instantaneously, but they need to be aware of this process so that it does not go unnoticed. An important role in the pathogenesis of the syndrome of sudden death of infants has a delay or a weakening of breathing. This symptom can be accompanied by general weakness, blue skin, decreased muscle tone. All moms and dads should be aware of these symptoms: this will help prevent a fatal outcome.

Diagnostics of the syndrome of sudden death of infants

If, nevertheless, the worst happened, the diagnosis of the syndrome of sudden death of babies is put only after a scrupulous study of the circumstances of the incident and all sorts of tests. During the study, all probable pathologies are gradually eliminated. The intravital evaluation is analyzed: electrocardiogram parameters, x-ray studies, echoencecology data, acidity in the esophagus. Postmortem studies are also conducted that exclude other causes of death (for example, electrolyte analysis in the blood to exclude dehydration).

[16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23]

Differential diagnosis

The task of differential diagnosis is to eliminate violent asphyxia, acute adrenal insufficiency, impaired metabolism of fatty acids and botulism.

When neither the results of autopsy nor a thorough analysis of the child's development history find grounds for his sudden death, the diagnosis is "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome".

[24], [25], [26], [27], [28]

Treatment of the syndrome of sudden death of infants

Treatment of this disease has not been developed and all work to reduce the risks of the syndrome is aimed at improving preventive measures.

If the child became ill?

If there are signs of a breathing disorder or the heart's work in the child, before the doctors arrive, it is necessary to take measures on their own to try to restore breathing and work of the heart. What should I do? To reduce the risk of sudden death syndrome in infants, you need to do a massage:

• along the spine rather quickly with the fingers to drive from the waist to the neck;
• take the child in his arms and shake it gently, as if trying to awaken;
• to do massage of feet, hands and ear lobes.

These simple techniques can restore the work of the organs and return the child to consciousness. If suddenly these actions were unsuccessful, then it is necessary to take more radical measures - to pass to a massage of the heart and thorax.

In a critical situation, do not let panic take possession of you: this can prevent you from taking control of the situation. And remember that the baby's body is very small and fragile: do not use excessive force.

If we managed to do without resuscitation, then the forecast is quite favorable. On the contrary, if there was a need to do artificial respiration, this indicates the seriousness of the case. The definition of impaired breathing or a decrease in muscle tone when examining the baby indicates a nearly sudden syndrome of sudden death of infants.

Prevention

1. Put the baby to sleep on your back. This is the only recommendation around which in the medical environment do not flare up spores. Because almost always the syndrome developed in children who slept on the tummy.
2. Avoid overheating. The kid should sleep in a cool and well ventilated room, at a temperature of no higher than 25 degrees, or better - 18-20 degrees. Put the baby in light clothes and cover with a light blanket.
3. Avoid passive smoking. If someone from the household has such a bad habit to reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome, do not smoke in the apartment.
4. Remove soft objects from the crib, including the pillow. This will avoid possible suffocation. Soft edges are also superfluous: in addition to collecting dust, the air circulation in the crib is deteriorating because of them.
5. Many experts agree that joint sleep helps to monitor the baby's condition.
6. Breast-feeding. Breastfeeding helps strengthen immunity.

Moms should not be afraid of the syndrome of sudden death of babies. But in their power to make the most of the child dependent on them during pregnancy and care: to lead a healthy lifestyle and not leave the baby alone in the room for a long time.

[29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35]