Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the most frightening conditions that can attack a young infant, mainly because it is sudden, devastating and largely undiagnosed until it is too late. The paper discusses how one can reduce the risk of SIDS, but notes that the condition is still largely misunderstood and needs further research.

From the Paper:

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the most devastating occurrences in parents' lives, partly because the condition is so difficult to understand. Each year, SIDS takes the lives of between 6,000 and 7,000 infants. One expert writes, "It is responsible for between 2 and 3 deaths out of every 1,000 live births. After the first week of life, where deaths associated with prematurity predominate, SIDS is the most important single cause of death of infants under 1 year of age" (Bergman, 1986, p. xi). Also known as crib death, the syndrome is still not fully understood, and often the death may not be recognized as SIDS. Usually, the infant shows no signs of any problems or irregularities. In most cases, the parents place the infant in his or her crib to sleep. When they check on the child later, they find it dead. In most cases, the autopsy or medical exam reveals no reason for the death, which is one reason the condition is so difficult to stop. SIDS can occur as soon as three weeks after birth, rises to its highest rates in the third and fourth month of life, and tends to decrease after about six months."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bergman, A. B. (1986). The "discovery" of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Lessons in the practice of political medicine. Westport,CT: Praeger Publishers.
• Editors. (2007). Reducing the risk of SIDS. Retrieved from the American Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association Web site: http://www.sids.org/nprevent.htm 14 June 2007.
• Glinianaia, S. V., Rankin, J., Bell, R., Pless-Mulloli, T., & Howel, D. (2004). Does Particulate Air Pollution Contribute to Infant Death? A Systematic Review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 112(14), 1365+.
• Howard Price, J. Brain-stem abnormalities trigger SIDS; may affect serotonin, study says. (2006, November 1). The Washington Times, p. A06.
• Soft bedding can make cribs deadly. (1993, October). USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), 122, 9.

More papers on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome:

• Analytical Essay # 140964 : "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome"
• Article Review # 54664 : "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)"
• Essay # 13079 : "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome"

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