‘The Baby Think It Over" infant simulator has been designed to help educate about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, once known as crib death. Baby is programmed to cry if itis placed on its tummy. This reminds students that real infants should be put to sleep on their backs. Real infants can be placed on ther tummies sometines wen they are awake, tis impostant to do this so that an infant’ head does not become flattened because the infant is always on its back. Baby can only be placed on its tummy for a short time. What we know about SIDS + SIDS occurs in all kinds of families. + SIDS occurs in seemingly healthy infants, * SIDS has nothing to do with race or economic status. + Fall and winter months have the most incidence of SIDS (in both the Nosthern and Southern hemispheres) *+ Most deaths from SIDS happen before the infant is six months old, with the largest number between cone month and four months of age. + SIDS often happens quickly during sleep, and the infant shows no signs of suffering, + ‘There is a higher likelihood of SIDS among boys, premature and low-birthweight infants, twins, and triplets. * SIDS is determined as the cause of death only afier all other causes have been eliminated through an autopsy, 2 thorough investigation of the death scene, and a review of the family history. + SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age. + No one knows what causes SIDS. Risk factors Infants are more at risk for SIDS i€ theie mothers: + ‘Smoke while pregnant. + Are less than 20 years old at the time of the pregnancy. + Have poor prenatal care. + Have low weight gain while pregnant. * Are anemic (deficiency of red blood cell). + Use drugs while pregnant, + Have a history of STDs or urinary tract infection while pregnant Infants who are born prematurely, have a low birthweight, or are put to sleep on their stomachs have a greater risk for SIDS. Itis important to note that these tisk factors by themselves are not causes for SIDS, ‘A recent study states that infants most at risk from SIDS can be treated with an 80 to 90 percent success rate, Newborns with a prolonged QT interval (a heart abnormality) that may be identified on an EKG were 41 times more likely to be at risk for SIDS. The question of what a physician should do in the case of an infant who tests positive is still unanswered. SIDS Prevention 1. Back to sleep — Whether for 2 nap o* to bed for the night, an infant should usually be put to sleep on its back. Before leaving the hospital, new parents should talk to their doctor about which sleeping position is best. Some health conditions may require tummy-down sleeping. i ; } 3 *® g é : é 5 é int development and care i2. Non-fluffy bedding — An infant should sleep on a firm mattress or surface. Avoid using fluffy blankets, pillows, sheepskins, or comforters under the infant. An infant under one year of age should not sleep on a waterbed or with soft stuffed toys. 3. Good prenatal care — Good prenatal care inchudes proper nutrition, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and smoking, Frequent checkups starting early in the pregnancy may help prevent or detect abnormalities, 4,No smoking ~ Infants born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy are three times more likely to die from SIDS. Exposure to smoke after birth doubles an infant’s chance of SIDS. Smoking also has a negative impact on an infant’s lung development. Smoke-free environments are crucial for healthy development 5.Cool room temperature ~ Infants who are overheated are more likely to go into a deep sleep. It is hard to wake them, Research has found that infants who are allowed to overheat — too much clothing, bedding that is too heavy, and a room that is too warm — are at inereased risk for SIDS. 6. Breastfeeding -- Studies have shown that SIDS in breastfed infants is less common, Breast milk can provide extra protection and immunity from infections that can trigger SIDS. 7. Regular health care ~- Infants should receive regular checkups and have immunization shots on schedule Research shows that SIDS may be hereditary, but the connection is not strong. If either parent has a history of infant death in the family, the doctor should be told. A genetic blood-screening test can be done to see if the parent is a carrier of a gene that may contribute to SIDS, The infant may also be tested after birth. SIDS is: * not contagious. *+ not caused by immunization, *+ not caused by child abuse. * not caused by vomiting, choking, colds or infections. + not the cause of every unexpected infant death. * not anyone's fault SIDS statistics are changing, In the 10 years before 1992, dhece were between 5,000 and 6,000 SIDS deaths reported each year in the United States. In 1992 this number started to drop each year. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that 2,827 infants under one year of age died from SIDS in 1998. This number is lower than the 2,991 SIDS cases in 1997, Back to Sleep Campaign ‘The SIDS Foundation ‘wwwnichd.nih.gov/sids wwwsidseanadaorg (800) 505-CRIB (800) END-SIDS National SIDS Resource Center wwwsidscenterorg (703) 821-8955 SIDS Alliance wowssidsallianceorg, (800) 221-7437 int development and car The Baby Think It Over Program Unit Four: