Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Question 1

What is sudden infant death syndrome?

Answer 1

Defined as the sudden and unexpected death of an infant or young child for which no adequate cause is found after a thorough post-mortem examination.

Question 2

How common is SIDS and in what age group does it usually occur?

Answer 2

Infants aged 2-4 months old.

Incidence is ~ 1 in 2000

Question 3

What are the risk factors for SIDS?

Answer 3

Infant:

• Low birth weight
• Pre-term
• Multiple births

Mother:

• Overcrowded house
• Younger than 20 years
• Single mothers
• Maternal smoking
• Smoking after childs birth

Environment:

• Lying face down
• Overheating

Question 4

What advice should be given to parents to avoid SIDS?

Answer 4

Don’t smoke during or after pregnancy
Poor infant to bed on there back
Avoid heavy wrapping and high room temperatures