The risk of „Sudden Infant Death“

The risk of „Sudden Infant Death“

Numerous studies in many countries around the world come to very important recommendations that reduce the risk of respiratory failure.

Are there appropriate measures?
The Society for Research of Sudden Infant Death (GEPS e.V.) reports a number of risk factors and recommends that the following should be noted:

  • Smoke-free environment, especially during pregnancy and in the first year of the child
  • No overheating caused by too much clothing and high room temperatures, about 18 ° C is sufficient as room temperature
  • Avoid the face-down position, this is considered to lead to increased risk

This recommendation does not apply if the doctor disapproves of back or side position for medical reasons. Note conspicuous sweating of your child and clarify this with your doctor if necessary. The absence of breastfeeding is also an important factor.

If pauses in breathing have already become too long, it is possible to undertake an extensive investigation in a sleep laboratory. However, all these recommendations have not been able to prevent the fact that, according to the Federal Statistical Office in Germany, about 200 babies a year die in their first year of sudden infant death. Almost 80% of these babies were in total health and without any prior signs. Another phenomenon is the fact that almost never anything happens in the first month of a baby, most frequently it happens in the 2nd to 4th months and very rarely after the first year of life.

A timely alarm by a surveillance monitor can lead to faster help, and the loud sound can possibly already stimulate the baby to awaken. In any case, first aid measures should be learned. The reassurance of having monitoring even in the middle of the night does not have to be expensive. For example the rental cost for a respiratory monitoring device is only about 1.50 € per day.

 

 

Schulte-Elektronik