Minimizing the risk of sleep-related infant deaths

Sleep-related death is a cause of serious concern for the healthcare service providers and can be a devastating blow to the families of the baby. Examine the causes that may be leading to such unfortunate incidences and how to mitigate the risk

- DR SINDU NAIR

The anxiety and the nervousness after we welcome the little one is natural. We are cautious about making our surroundings safe for the baby, especially when they are in their infant stage. However, one of the problems that parents or caregivers tend to overlook is the sudden death of the infant during sleep.

Sleep-related infant death is defined as a sudden, unexpected infant death that occurs during an observed or unobserved sleep period, or in a sleep environment. While we are extra careful when we put babies to sleep, taking certain precautionary measures can help reduce the instances of sleep-related infant death.

Recently, a new policy statement that was released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), on Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) states that we must put increased emphasis on putting infants to sleep on their backs, keeping the baby's sleep environment bare and avoid bed-sharing with them and Use a firm, flat, non-inclined sleep surface. These recommendations must be applied to any child up to one year old to avoid sleep-related infant death which is one of the causes of SIDS.

The possible causes behind sleep-related infant death

Studies and statistics reveal that the risk of sleep-related infant death is at least 10 times higher when the caregiver is impaired in alertness because of any of the following reasons:

• sedative medication

• or tiredness

• or under influence of alcohol

• or when bed-sharing with a current smoker (even if the smoker does not smoke in bed)

• or if the pregnant parent smoked during pregnancy