| SIDS DEFINITION: SIDS is defined as the unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant, whose death remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation. The case investigation includes but is not limited to an autopsy, a death scene examination, and a review of the infant and their family's medical history. CASE SCENARIO: In most SIDS deaths the parent checks on their infant assuming they are sleeping, only to find them dead. Now this is not always the case. Sometimes these infants have died in strollers, car seats,in playpens and even in the arms of someone. SIDS leaves those in it's wake with a overwhelming feeling of vunerability, and exposure that last for a lifetime. Seeing as no one can explain why our supposedly healthy infants died we embark on a quest for closure. This comes in the form of information. MY MISSION: I have a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and have taken many Child Devlopment courses as i was at one time going to be a teacher or open a day care center so I was well aware of what SIDS is and some of what it is not. I still took on the belief that SIDS wouldn't happen to me. Not my babies; itonly happens to other people's babies. Was I ever wrong! SIDS is a silent killer of babies who came in and took my precious baby from me without my knowing about it. I now know the pain that thousands of other families feel each year and it is a pain that I wouldnt wish on anyone. So if in making this site and sharing this information I can possibly spare one family from this heart ache, then all the pain I am going through by reliving it is worth it. I love you Bran! WHAT SIDS IS: 1) SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants under the age of 1, claiming more babies lives each year than AIDS, Cancer, Heart Disease, Phneumonia, Muscular Dystrophy, Cystic Fibrosis, and Child Abuse COMBINED. 2) Unpredictable. Nothing can determine which inafnt or when. 3) Also known as Crib Death or Cot Death 4) Silent 5) A recognized medical disorder. I will not call it a medical syndrome because that indicates that there are other symptoms of which there are none. When SIDS strikes there is nothing that comes either before or after it, only death is the common tie. 6) Based on exclusion. An autopsy is preformed and everything is checked. They only determine SIDS when there is no other possible conclusion. WHAT SIDS IS NOT: 1) Preventable 2) Predictable 3) New. There was reference to SIDS in the bible. 4) Painful. The infants do not suffer. 5) Shaken baby syndrome or any other form of child abuse. 6) Apnea is a brief time when breathing ceases but you can be revived. When SIDS happens you are unable to revive the infant. 7) Suffocation or Smothering 8) Contagious 9) Allergies or Illness 10) Caused by Immunizations 11) Hereditary 12) Based on Race, Education or Job RISK FACTORS: These are just supposed factors. Some infants have all of these risk factors and yet they live, while others have none and die. As of right now there is nothing that can be excluded as a risk factor. Below are the MAJOR risk factors. 1) Maternal smoking 2) Poor prenatal care 3) Low birth weight 4) Hard drug use 5) Young maternal age 6) Sleeping on stomach 7) Over dressing 8) Eductional background 9) Income level FACTS: Winter is the most common season for SIDS deaths Boys are the victim more often than girls The second child is more susceptible than the first child The average age is 2 to 4 months, but SIDS happens at any age |
| SIDS Information and Resources |
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