How to Save Infants from Unknown Causes of SIDS?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome becomes even alarming due to the fact that medical experts are still clueless of the causes of SIDS. Unsurprisingly, SIDS runs as the primary cause of death among infants from ages one month up to one year old.
Every year, 2,500 lives were killed in the United States, a very frightening figure. And in spite of further research through the years, causes of SIDS still linger as a big question to many.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome refers to the abrupt death of an infant. Definitely, this syndrome is daunting because it can stab a victim on its back without even noticing it. Even healthy-looking babies are prospective victims. In order to prevent SIDS from happening to their babies, parents and guardians of infants below one year old must be aware of the causes of SIDS.
Among the common scenarios of SIDS deaths are linked with crib death and babies who die without prior symptoms of illness and pain.
As what have mentioned earlier, common causes of SIDS remain unexplainable at the moment. There were babies who were peacefully sleeping in their crib who died suddenly without prior warnings.
In most cases, SIDS hits infants with ages 2-6 months old. This syndrome attacks babies when their parents or guardians are asleep. There are just few cases of SIDS that involve infants below 2 weeks and above 8 months.
Even though, causes of SIDS are still unknown, medical experts deemed that respiratory tract infection is one of the roots of this syndrome.
Various studies presented that infants who died due to SIDS had initial diagnosis of respiratory diseases. In relation to this, infant deaths are detected during winter and early spring, the seasons wherein respiratory illnesses are most likely to occur.
If the cause of the death of an infant is questionable, medical experts usually label it as SIDS. They believe that infant death rooted from SIDS; even though medical findings such as autopsy have been made already.
The following are the determinants that may lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome:
1. If the infant is resting on his side or tummy.
2. If the parents of the infant have a family history of SIDS.
3. If the infant belongs to a family with a low income. In this case, the baby might not be getting adequate nourishment.
4. If the mother of the infant became pregnant at an early age, which could just give the former little prenatal nourishment.
5. If the mother of the infant smoked and used drugs at the time of pregnancy.
6. If the infant is in an environment filled with second hand smoke.
7. If the infant is born premature.
8. If the infant is underweight upon birth.
Although causes of SIDS are not yet determined and proven, parents and guardians can still do something to save their newborn babies—and it is to not stop learning the things that will make their little angels healthy and happy.
