SIDS Awareness Training

Needs Provide basic information about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and ways to lower an infant’s risk of dying during the first year of life.

Needs Share available resources to support SIDS families and promote community based education about SIDS and risk reduction.

Objectives Understand SIDS legislative mandates Define a SIDS death Identify four factors in a typical history of a SIDS baby List risk factors for SIDS Explain the relationship between SIDS risk factors and an actual SIDS death Outline the tasks of grieving Identify resources to provide support and aid to parents

Definition of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS ) The sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant usually under one year of age which remains unexplained after a: complete medical history death scene investigation postmortem examination SIDS is a Diagnosis of Exclusion

What We Know The cause(s) of SIDS remain unknown SIDS cannot be predicted or prevented No one is to blame for a SIDS death Not parents Not caregivers Not emergency personnel or other health care providers

What Happens Baby is usually healthy or may have had sniffles or cold Baby is put down for nap or night Found dead minutes to hours later No sign of struggle or distress SIDS can happen in any family

Facts about SIDS The leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age in the U.S. Happens in about one of every 1000 live births Happens most often between two and four months of age Happens most often in winter

SIDS is Not Caused by: Suffocation Vomiting or choking Child abuse Disease or illness Immunizations

Maternal Risk Factors Young—less than 19 years of age Tobacco use doubles the risk of SIDS Substance use is associated with increased risk Limited or late prenatal care Short intervals between pregnancies

Infant Risk Factors for SIDS Male gender Infant age Low birth weight Multiple births Premature birth Babies can die of SIDS without having risk factors

Multifactorial SIDS Theory Infant’s Physiologic Responses DevelopmentEnvironment SIDS

Infant’s Physiologic Responses Oxygen reduced, carbon dioxide increased Arousal response deficit Subtle brainstem dysfunction Slow development

Development—age vulnerability 2-4 months—75% 4-6 months—15% Respiratory system is unstable in all infants May take less of an environmental stress to trigger SIDS at this age.

Environmental Factors Sleep position Smoking Temperature Bedding Swaddling Season Minor respiratory symptoms Drug use Poverty Limited prenatal care

9 Ways to Reduce the Risk of SIDS 1. Always place a baby on his/her Back to Sleep, even for naps. 2. Never allow smoking around a baby. 3.Place a baby on a firm, flat surface to sleep. 4. Remove all soft things such as loose bedding, pillows, and stuffed toys from the sleep area. 5. Never place a baby on a sofa, waterbed, soft chair, pillow or bean bag. 6. Take special precautions when a baby is in bed with you. 7. Make sure a baby doesn’t get too hot. 8. Keep a baby’s face and head uncovered during sleep. 9. Share this information with everyone who cares for a baby.

When SIDS Happens Baby found not breathing Call is made to 911 EMS, fire or police respond Decision is made about CPR and transport Baby is pronounced dead Coroner goes to the death scene, home or hospital

Coroner’s Responsibilities Investigate death scene Obtain complete medical history Have autopsy performed Contact county health department Notify parents of apparent cause of death Inform California SIDS Program Sign death certificate

Local Health Department Responsibilities Contact family/childcare provider within three working days Services to be provided: Assess family, childcare provider/foster parent or both Crisis intervention and counseling Referral to community services Follow-up care to assess progress Submit report of contact to the California SIDS Program

The Tasks of Grieving Accepting the reality of the loss Experiencing the pain of grief Adjusting to a life without the baby Moving on —Dr. J. W. Worden

When a Baby Dies It is stressful for everyone: Parents Family Professionals providing care

Resources Local Health Department _________________________ Local Bereavement Support Group _________________________ California SIDS Program SIDS (7437)

California SIDS Program This PowerPoint presentation is copyrighted, but may be reproduced without permission. We request that proper credit be given to: California Department of Health Services/ California SIDS Program Produced by the California SIDS Program under funding by the California Department of Health Services, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Branch © 2005 California Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Program SIDS (7437)