Reducing sudden death of infants
Omio, a two month old little cute boy came to me for a routine check up. He was perfectly all right in all respects. His parents are educated, cooperative and from a middle class family. Omio was born in a hospital by normal delivery and it was uneventful. Everything was going on smoothly and happily. But all on a sudden, Omio was found dead in the morning on his cot.
Last night, he was fine and took his last feeding around 1 a.m. and at that time he had no problem. It was very shocking to the parents and as well as to me. I could not believe it even. Medical history, physical examination, postmortem examination failed to provide any clue to the unexpected death.
This type of death in infants is called sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). By definition — it is sudden, unexpected death of the infant or young child for which no adequate cause is found after a thorough postmortem examination. It is one of the commonest causes of death in infants.
Risk factors for the SIDS are — pre-term low birth weight baby, male are more affected than female (60 percent male), multiple births, low income, over crowded housing, maternal age less then 20 years, single unsupported mother, maternal smoking during pregnancy, parental smoking after birth, infants sleeps lying prone position, the infant is over heated due to excessive clothing or heating etc.
Sudden death of a child is one of the most distressing events that can happen to a family. To reduce the SIDS following guide line may be followed —
* Infants should put on sleep on their back; not their front or side.
* Over heating by heavy wrapping and high room temperature should be avoided.
* Parents should not smoke near infant.
* Parents should have their baby in their bed room at least for 12 months.
* Parents should avoid sleeping with their infant on a sofa or arm chair.
We do not have any statistics regarding SIDS in Bangladesh. Fortunately deaths due to SIDS are declining now a days due to increased level of awareness in parents. Wish there should not be any sudden, unexpected death to any infants any more.
The writer is a Professor of Paediatrics in Community Based Medical College (CBMC), Mymensingh.
E-mail: [email protected]
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