SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Risks
- Mother smoking, drinking, or use of drugs during pregnancy
- Poor prenatal care
- Premature or low birth weight
- Mothers younger than 20
Symptoms or Signs
- Not many because the death occurs when the infant is thought to be sleeping
- Could possibly depend on the baby's breathing and the temperature of the room at night
Preventions
- Place baby on a firm mattress to sleep on, not a pillow or really cushioned area
- Do not use bumper pads in crib
- Make sure baby receives all recommended immunizations
- Mother can not smoke, drink, or use drugs during pregnancy
- Receive early and regular prenatal care
Statistics
- Each year in the United States there are about 3,500 deaths
- These deaths occur among infants less than 1 years old and have no immediately obvious cause
- In 2010 there were more than 2,000 deaths and in 2013 about 1,500 infants died
- This is a little more common in baby boys than girls
What To Do?
If this occurs to your baby while sleeping, immediately call 911