Is SIDS in the BRAIN?
October 2nd 2008 21:36
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Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is the leading cause of death among infants between one month and one year old. More than 2000 babies a year die from this. There is known a racial predominance -- so public health officials are taking action.
It was heartbreaking for Nikkia Albert of Hazelwood to lose her two month old son this way. "I was just putting him on the couch, and now my son is not here."
In Allegheny County, between 2001 and 2006, there were 68 infant sleep-related deaths. "68 deaths over a period of four years is 68 too many, because they can be prevented, we know what the causes are, we know what the solutions are," says Dr. Bruce Dixon of the Allegheny County Health Department.
Two out of three babies were black; one out of three, white.
"Babies of African-American descent are more likely to be placed on their stomach than on their back," explains Dr. Raymond Pitetti, and emergency department physician at Children's Hospital.
"I just saw a family recently, who the mother and the grandmother, with the first child, they told me we co-sleep that's what we do," says Dr. Jerome Gloster, a pediatrician who works in community outreach and the County Health Department.
The rate is a bit higher for black babies locally, compared to nationally at 50 percent.
"We're sometimes slower to change in the county than in other parts of the country, and maybe people are holding on to old practices, despite the fact that information is available," surmises Dr. Dixon.
That's why Children's Hospital, the County Health Department and black churches are partnering to increase awareness of this preventable cause of death.
"People get the message if the people giving the message look like, think like, and behave like the people you're giving the messages to," Dr. Dixon says.
The exact cause of SIDS isn't known, but it's thought that part of the brain isn't working well in these babies. It's the part that automatically wakes you up if your oxygen levels drop.
That's why experts recommend that you keep bedding and clothing away from baby's face, so they're breathing fresh air. Also baby should have a firm mattress, not a pillow or other soft surface, to sleep on. And babies should always sleep on their backs.
Breastfeeding, pacifiers and not smoking are other ways to reduce the risk of SIDS. It's also better for babies to sleep in their crib or bassinet in the same room as their parents, but not in their parents' bed.
From: Health Department USA
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