F&C OSCES

April 2016

Ranga Fernando

Explain - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

WIPE + ICE
SIDS is described as the sudden and unexpected death of an infant
under 1 year of age which remains unexplained after an
investigation + autopsy to exclude all other causes of death.
Most sudden and unexpected infant death is SIDS. The rest has a
clear cause:
- severe infection
- inherited disorders
- genetic cardiac channelopathies
Cause + risk factors
SIDS cannot be prevented but there are several factors associated
with increased risk.
Triple risk model proposed in 1994. SIDS occurs when 3 factors
are present at the same time.
-

underlying vulnerability in the infant

birth weight/prem)
critical development period
age)
outside stressor

(low
(1-3months of
(lying prone)

Combination of immature cardioresp. Systems and failure to be

roused from sleep lead to death.
Risk Factors
-

Maternal
o maternal smoking
o alcohol +
substance abuse
o Age less than 20
first pregnancy
o Poverty
o Single parent
Prem birth

Sleep position prone /

bedding

Obstetric
o Late or no
antenatal care
o Low pregnancy
weight gain
o Placental
abnormality

Protective factors
-

Breast feeding
Dummies
Room sharing

Summarise + Follow up + Questions