Sudden Infant Death Syndrome as a Public Problem - Free Essay Sample

Introduction

Unexpected mysterious deaths during the embryonic stage, as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (also called cot death), remains a global public health problem (Goldberg et al., 2018). Regardless of the intensive awareness promotion initiatives, SIDS remains the principal root of post-neonatal death in various developed nations. If a baby’s death postmortem examination, death scene inquiry, and a scrutiny of medical history does not reveal the cause of death, then a diagnosis of SIDS gets confirmed (Goldberg et al., 2018). The purpose of this paper involves an examination of SIDS as a public health problem.

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Risk Factors

Certain risk factors contribute to SIDS since some children remain more vulnerable than others. SIDS remains common in babies below four months, profoundly affects boys than girls, and more prevalent during winter, fall, and early spring times (Carlin & Moon, 2017). Variables that may result in higher rates of mortality from SIDS entails sleeping positions of babies, sleeping environmental conditions, babies beddings, and smoking expectant mothers and parents. Also, mothers who do not undergo prenatal care, or attend little or late care, low birth weight or premature birth, and having a sibling who passed away from SIDS may expose a child to SIDS (Carlin & Moon, 2017).

The occurrence of SIDS remains uncertain. However, scientists believe that inability of a baby to awaken from sleep, low oxygen in the body, high concentration of carbon dioxide may result in SIDS (Goldberg et al., 2018). There exist no known prevention measure against SIDS since its causes remain unknown. However, some practices can ensure the baby remains safe through proper sleeping positions, resting the baby on a firm surface, regulating room temperature, and avoiding smoky environments when with the baby. Besides, regular and appropriate breastfeeding can reduce the risk of SIDS in babies (Carlin & Moon, 2017).

Conclusion

Since SIDS remain a mysterious syndrome whose occurrence continues to get researched, it remains a public health problem. The risks can get minimized by effective management of early childhood development practices, ensuring extensive care and monitoring of infants at their embryonic stages. Some studies have related the causes of SIDS to biological factors. This paper recommends further research to establish the primary causes and define babies at risk of SIDS.

References

Carlin, R. F., & Moon, R. Y. (2017). Risk factors, protective factors, and current recommendations to reduce sudden infant death syndrome: A review. JAMA Pediatrics, 171(2), 175-180. www.jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/2588414

Goldberg, N., Rodriguez-Prado, Y., Tillery, R., & Chua, C. (2018). Sudden infant death syndrome: A review. Pediatric Annals, 47(3), e118-e123.
www.healio.com/pediatrics/journals/pedann/2018-3-47-3/%7B7ddc9b6a-8863-40cb-b70c-990996583b05%7D/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-a-review