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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome / Cot Death
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome / Cot Death | |
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - Causes |
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SIDS occurs because of a complex interaction among various factors, which includes the way infants grow, their exposure to environmental stress and their physiological response to them. Many of these deaths occur because the baby lies on the stomach. During this, the child continuously "re-breathes" the same air, which is trapped between the face and the crib bedding. This increases the level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Usually, this should signal an arousal response from the brain centers, which is absent in babies prone to SIDS. Over the years, studies have explored the possibility of a number of possible causes including suffocation, vomiting or choking, birth defects, metabolic abnormalities and infection. It should be noted that the majority of babies are able to roll onto their tummies by the age of 5 months. Even if they are asleep on their stomach, the increased carbon di oxide level should be able to generate a normal stimuli, making the baby turn. A 2006 study found that infants who die of SIDS have abnormalities in the part of the brain that helps to control breathing and arousal. Abnormalities in the brain stem appear to affect the ability to use and recycle serotonin - a chemical that is responsible for regulating mood as well as vital body functions. A normal baby will wake up, turn over, and begin to breath faster when carbon dioxide levels rise. But in babies who are victims of SIDS, a defective serotonin system could impair these reflexes. There are many factors that increase the risk of making an infant prone to SIDS. Listed below are some of these factors that have been implicated Prenatal Risks (when the baby is in the mother’s womb) 
Insufficient prenatal care and nutrition.
Maternal smoking/ drug habits.
Alcohol abuse.
Teenage pregnancy.
Lesser than one year interval between births.Postnatal risks (after birth of the baby)
Low birth weight (less than 1.5 kg).
Being exposed to tobacco smoke.
Laying infants to sleep on their stomach.
Failure to breast-feed.
Overheating, possibly due to excess clothing .
Soft or excess bedding.
Stuffed toys. Crib Mattresses and SIDS – A Possible Relationship There is some evidence that crib mattresses made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) can cause SIDS. The polyvinyl chloride contains chemical compounds composed of phosphorus, arsenic and antimony and the gas from these chemicals even in small amounts can be extremely toxic to the newborns. During investigation of SIDS in England it was first noted that the tissue samples contained high antimony levels. Crib mattresses were the only possible source as there was no antimony in significant amounts in food or water.
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Posted by:
anne08
Posted on: 09/11/2009 i have found this site very helpfull, as it give you an idea of what to look for in a cot death, anne
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| Citing this Health Article | ||||||
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| News on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome / Cot Death |
| * Child Death Rate Reduced After Prenatal Micronutrient, Food Supplementation Intervention |
| * Avoid All Risk Factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome : Study |
| * New Discovery Could Lead to Prevention and Treatment of SIDS |
| * Baby Products Do Not Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) |
| * Ad Campaign Aimed at Reducing Infant Death Stokes Controversy |
| Total News Item 66 |
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