Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Eight Risk Factors You Need to Know
Created: 10/23/2022, 7:00 p.m
By: Laura Knops
If an infant dies unexpectedly and for no apparent reason in its sleep, doctors speak of sudden infant death.
These factors can increase the risk.
It doesn't matter whether it's about issues such as childbirth, baby sleep or breastfeeding - many mothers and fathers feel overwhelmed by the new situation.
New parents in particular are concerned about doing everything right after the birth.
But fears about their own child often determine the thoughts of young parents.
Although cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are very rare, many families fear it.
There are various risk factors that can favor the death of the baby while sleeping.
Parents should avoid certain dangers.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Eight Risk Factors You Need to Know
Finding your child dead in bed is one of the most terrifying thoughts of any parent.
If this stroke of fate occurs without warning and the doctor cannot find any recognizable reason, the diagnosis is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Sudden infant death usually occurs in the first year of life at two and four months of age.
After that, the risk drops significantly, according to studies.
Sudden infant death is probably one of the worst ideas of all parents (symbol image).
© Imago
The causes of the sudden infant death are so far unclear.
However, scientists assume that several factors interact.
According to the association of paediatricians online, genetic predisposition has a particularly large influence.
But the young age of the mother, premature birth or multiple births can also increase the risk of sudden infant death.
While these cannot be influenced by parents, there are also aspects that can be avoided.
Parents should be aware of the following risk factors:
sleeping on stomach
Overheating or hypothermia of the baby during sleep
Drug use (during and after pregnancy)
Maternal smoking during pregnancy
Smoking by a parent around the infant
Sudden infant death: These sleeping positions can increase the risk
In addition to the genes, the sleeping position plays an important role.
This is how most infants die lying on their stomachs.
At the same time, the risk is increased if breathing is impeded by stuffed animals, blankets or pillows.
The babies are still too small to free themselves from an uncomfortable lying position, so they cannot compensate for the lack of oxygen.
Parents should definitely refrain from blankets with small babies and rather use a sleeping bag.
Additional overheating of the child's body also seems to impair respiratory functions.
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Especially in the days after birth, but also in the first four months of life, the immune system of many newborns is still very weak.
If acute respiratory infections and physical illnesses that can cause developmental delays occur during this time, this can increase the risk of sudden infant death.
Children whose upper airways are weakened by infections or congenital airway obstructions also appear to be at increased risk.
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Sudden infant death: do family factors play a role?
In addition to acute factors such as the child's sleeping position, the environment and family background also seem to play an important role.
Studies show that a young mother (less than 20 years old) and pregnancies that are close together increase the risk of sudden infant death in the family.
Scientists have also found that smoking and drug use - during or after pregnancy - have a huge impact on the healthy development of the respiratory tract.
The nicotine contained in the smoke also changes important vital functions of the small child's body.
Babies who are smoked in their immediate vicinity are therefore particularly at risk.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
