For this week's blog assignment, I will discuss Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This health topic is important to me, because as a former infant/toddler room teacher, I am familiar with importance of being educated on SIDS and ways to reduce the risk. When in my care, I had to ensure that each child under the age of 12 months were properly placed to sleep, in the proper sleeping environment. I was responsible for precious cargo and did everything that was required of me to keep those in my care safe and healthy.
When researching SIDS around various parts of the world, I noticed that many countries have been SIDS campaigns and have been vigorously working conducting studies in order to find ways to continue lower the number of deaths from SIDS. Beginning in 1987,
New Zealand began a 3 year long study to determine the factors of SIDS. Research proved that factors such as sleeping position, maternal smoking, and those infants who were not breastfeed increased the risk of SIDS. In 1991, a formal campaign was launched in order to raise the awareness and reduce the risk of SIDS.
One interesting fact that I discovered was that there was committee working to conclude if there was correlation between immunization and SIDS. The committee concluded that immunizations received during infancy was not a factor of SIDS. I also discovered that
Australia and
New Zealand are in the process of having the name changed to Sudden Explained Death in Infancy (SUDI). The U.S. CDC is also working towards shifting the name to SUDI and having SIDS fall under this new terminology. Even though I am familar with SIDS and ways to lower risk, it does not hurt to stay informed of new developments in order to share this information with providers and parents.
Mitchell, Edwin, Brunt, Jan, Tuohy, Patrick, & Thompson John. ( 1997). Risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome following the prevention campaign in new zealand: a prospective study. Pediatrics Vol. 100 No.5. p. 835 -840
Almario, D., McCormick, M., Stranton, K., & Wizemann,T. (n.d.). Immunization safety review: vaccination and sudden unexplained death in infancy. Retrieved from http://sids.org/nmontharticle.htm
Laquasia,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing those facts regarding SIDS. Most importantly the contributing factors that cause SIDS. In NC all prarents are required to sign a "Safe Sleep Policy" which explains the centers philosopny of how the infant will be positioned for sleep. As you shared how you lovingly cared for little ones, I was delighted that you took the time to care for them in that special way more teachers like you are needed in our profession. I wanted to include this link which shares 10 tips that will help prevent SIDS. Thanks for sharing.
Laquasia,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Yes I do believe being a former infant and toddler teacher has a big affect on my choice to research SIDS, I found a lot of the information interesting, and very informative. I was not aware before that breastfeeding reduced the risk of SIDS. I found that very interesting. I think its important to get the information out to expecting parents so they understand the risk factor that lead to SIDS and how they can prevent them. Thanks for your post!
I also work in a childcare center, where we must be trained on how to prevent SIDS every two years and updated as new information on this topic surfaces. With all of the statistics about SIDs out there, I am amazed at how many parents request that their infants be laid to sleep on their stomachs! Additionally, many parents would prefer that the child have bumpers on the center cribs and a quilt UNDER the infant while she sleeps! Of course, we cannot honor these requests and some parents are wildly non-plussed when the reasons why are explained to them. We provide them with all of the information that we have, but they seem to think that their child could not possibly perish from SIDs.
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