Sids - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The Health Issues Involved

Introduction

Imagine one morning you wake up to see that your infant is no longer breathing. At that moment you panic and come to realize that your baby has come to a sudden death. Everything dear to us causes us pain. Becoming a new parent opens up new doors and new responsibilities. How ever, sometimes even when we think we do everything right, babies still pass.

What is SIDS?

SIDS also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or crib death occurs during sleep and strikes without warning. It's defined as the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of any infant or young child.

Who gets SIDS?

The highest period for SIDS occur in children in the ages between two and four months. It is very rare before one month of age, and at least 95 percent of all the cases happen before children reach six months. SIDS is most common in babies who sleep face down or with anyone or anything that may cause difficult breathing.

How and Why?

Researchers and doctors still do not know why or how it happens. However one study uncovered that about 2% of SIDS deaths were a results of a lack of specific enzyme necessary to stored food and energy. The baby then falls into a coma and dies if they go too many hours without eating. Scientists are working desperately on a test for this disorder. In the meantime, infants especially with a family history of SIDS should be fed at least every 4 hours.

Discussing Its Applications

Family & Friends (Mother & family/friends living in house hold)

Family and friends should be aware that SIDS is a condition that can happen to every child. With this syndrome one is never really out of the woods until about six months after the child is born and still then there are slight chances of it occurring. There are many factors that play a role in SIDS. The major role is genetics.

Genetics

This is a major role that can play a helping hand in preventing this tragic syndrome.

If a mother, family member or friend is worried about SIDS occurring to a child, one of the first things they should do is research their genetic back ground. Find out whether or not this is something that is common amongst family members. Keep in mind that SIDS is more common in boys than in girls. It is also more common in some population groups. These population groups include; Black, Native American, Hawaiian, Filipino and Maori. Affected infants may have been born with immature brainstems. This is a factor that makes it difficult for the child to wake up when they are in trouble. In turn this can cause them to pass in their sleep.

Before Birth

Events that occur even before the baby is born can affect the risk of SIDS. Anything that causes less oxygen to get to the baby in the uterus will increase his or her risk. On average, smoking during pregnancy doubles the chances of obtaining SIDS. These odds increase with each and every cigarette. Other drugs of abuse such as cocaine or heroine increase the risk by as many as thirty (30) times.

Environment

Environment and the child's surroundings are another common role. Putting children to sleep in warm areas or in enclosed rooms with space heaters can increase the occurrence of SIDS. A child sleeping on its backs in a slightly cooler room can lower the risk of SIDS by about three times. Use firm bedding can also be another prevention. Avoid cigarette smoke, and even anything that smells like cigarette smoke.

Staff, Health policies and the Day Nurseries' Act

Staff as well as supervisors should always follow health policies and regulation. Knowing what to do in a serious situation is very essential especially when dealing with other peoples children. This is why it is important for all centers to not only know but implement the Day Nurseries' Act. There are many categories, regulations, sections and subsection in the Day Nurseries' Act. Below are just some of them that apply to the issue at hand.

HEALTH AND MEDICAL SUPERVISION

30. Every operator of a day nursery shall ensure that a daily written record is maintained that includes a summary of any incident affecting the health, safety or well-being of the staff or any child enrolled in a day nursery operated by the operator and that the record is kept for at least two years from the date of its making. R.R.O.