Sudden Infant

Death
Syndrome
(SIDS)

BY: Kaitlyn Johnson

What is Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is defined as the sudden
death of an infant under the age of 12 months. For decades, this
syndrome has been under research and under thorough
investigation, including autopsy.
Most cases of SIDS occur between 2 and 4 months of age.
Unfortunately, the first symptom of SIDS is cardiac arrest.
(Ball, Bindler, Cowen, 2012).

Occurrence
In the United States, approximately 4,000 infant deaths occur
each year due to SIDS.
SIDS is the leading cause of infant mortality in the United
States.
Approximately 14% of SIDS is proven to be caused by
suffocation.
However, 30% of SIDS cases are categorized as an
undetermined cause of death on a death certificate.
(Schnitzer, 2012).

Epidemiology of SIDS
Evidence proves that sleep position is linked to SIDS. In 1992
American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that
parents place their little ones on their back to sleep. In 1994 the
Back to Sleep campaign was introduced. Over the next decade,
the incidence of SIDS decreased 53%. The Back to Sleep
campaign emphasized the importance of infants sleeping on their
backs rather than on their stomachs. Currently, the rate has
remained stable and research is still under way. Other evidence
supports that recognizing asphyxiation and strangulation during
sleep has also decreased the number of SIDS cases.
(Adams, 2015).

SIDS and Health Disparities

Incidence of SIDS is twice as high in Native Americans, Alaskan
Natives, and African American infants compared with nonHispanic, white infants.
The lowest rate of SIDS occurs within Asian, Pacific Islander, and
Hispanic populations.
(Adams, 2015).

Nurses Set an Example

Studies show that caregivers will model behavior observed
during their infants hospital stay. For mothers of low birth
weight or premature infants, practice they seen in the nursery
were the most important factor in choice of sleep positioning for
their newborn. In conclusion, nurses should practice lying babies
supine and teaching caregivers safe sleep practices and
environments for their baby
(Fowler, 2013).

Primary Prevention
Nurses play an important role in patient teaching. By teaching
mothers interventions for safe practice, they can help prevent
the incidence of SIDS.
New mothers have a lot to learn about their newborn baby.
Nurses play an significant role in teaching safe practices to keep
their baby healthy and safe.
EDUCATING is imperative. Teaching the mother, and importantly
the family about risk factors for SIDS and safe sleep practices
could save many infant lives.
(Fowler, 2013).

Secondary or Tertiary Prevention

There is no research found that could screen for SIDS.
Tertiary prevention is not possible for SIDS. SIDS results in
Death.

A Nurse Can Educate Patients

About Safe Sleep Environments
Use a Firm Surface/Mattress for Sleep.
Do not use blankets, crib bumpers, pillows, or sheepskin.
Do not smoke or let anyone smoke near your baby.
Lying the baby on its back to sleep.
Baby should sleep alone, in a crib and not in your bed or the
couch.
Do not leave toys or loose items in the crib.
Dress your baby in sleep clothing, one layer.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016)

SIDS Triple Risk Model

1. Vulnerable Infant: A vulnerable infant example would include an infant
who has an underlying defect, possibly in the brain center that
regulates respirations.
2.

Outside Stressors: Outside stressors include: overheating, upper

respiratory infection, second hand smoke exposure, and sleeping in
the prone position.

3. Critical Development Period: Homeostatic changes and rapid growth

occur within the first six months of life. These changes are constantly
occurring, such as heart rate, respirations, sleep and wake cycles, etc.
Combined, these factors place the infant in distress leading to Sudden
Infant Death.
(Safe to Sleep, 2016).

SIDS Triple Risk Model

Photo retrieved from
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.asp
x

Risk Factors for SIDS

Prematurity

Genetic Cardiac dysrhythmia

Low Birth Weight

Neuro brain defect

Prone or Side lying sleeping

Overheating

Socio-economical
disadvantages such as single
parenting, young mother,
fewer years of education,
unemployment.

Respiratory Infection

Blanket/Toys in crib

Male

(Ball, Blinder, Cowen, 2012).

Smoke exposure
Bed Sharing

A Nurse Can Educate About

Protective Factors to Prevent SIDS
Breastfeeding
Prenatal Care
Immunizations
Sleeping in the supine position
Pacifier use when sleeping
Room Sharing, but not bed sharing
(Ball, Bindler, Cowen 2012).

FACTS
October is SIDS Awareness month.
(Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).
Cardiorespiratory monitors have not proven to help prevent the
occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
(Safe to Sleep, 2016).
SIDS occurs more often in boys than girls.
(Ball, Bindler, Cowen, 2012).

Support
SIDS is often found in the emergency department (ED) due to
its unexpected nature.
The nurses role in the ED is to provide support to the family in
shock, reassure older siblings this will not happen to them, not
let the mother blame herself, and help parents notify family
members is vital during this time.
Religious support as well as support groups such as The First
Candle organization are greatly recommended for a family who
lost a baby to SIDS.
(Ball, Bindler, Cowen, 2012).

Research
From a public health perspective, it is important to focus on the
prevention of SIDS before researchers determine the etiology.
Research should focus and emphasize the development and
interventions facilitating behavior change and results of
maintaining a safe sleep environment for infants
(Schnitzer, 2012).

Conclusion
Nurses on a pediatric, NICU, or mother infant unit should be
expected to educate mothers and families on safe sleep
practices for their little ones.
More importantly, it is vital for nurses to teach new mothers
about risk factors of SIDS, tummy time, and preventative factors
that could greatly improve their babies health and decrease
their babys risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Pledge
I have neither given nor received aid, other than acknowledged,
on this assignment or test, nor have I seen anyone else do so.

Kaitlyn Morrissette

References
Adams, S. M., Ward, C. E., & Garcia, K. L. (2015). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. American Family
Physician, 91778-783.
Ball, J., Bindler, R., & Cowen, K. (2012). Principles of Pediatric Nursing (Fifth ed.). Upper Saddle
River: Julie Levin Alexander.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, February 15). Retrieved from Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome: http://www.cdc.gov/features/sidsawarenessmonth/
Fowler, A. J., Evans, P. W., Etchegaray, J. M., Ottenbacher, A., & Arnold, C. (2013). Safe sleep
practices and sudden infant death syndrome risk reduction: NICU and well-baby nursery
graduates.
Clinical Pediatrics, 52(11), 1044-1053. doi:10.1177/0009922813506038
Safe to Sleep. (2016, February 15). Retrieved from NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute
of Child Heath and Human Development: https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.aspx
Schnitzer, P. G., Covington, T. M., & Dykstra, H. K. (2012). Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths:
Sleep Environment and Circumstances. American Journal Of Public Health, 102(6), 1204-1212.