Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

My blog topic is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). I think it is important to discuss SIDS because babies are passing away in their sleep. They are primarily considered healthy at the time of passing. Researchers have responded to SIDS by using the scientific method . Research has found that  babies between 2-6 months of age are most vulnerable to SIDS. Susan Beal collected information on the occurrences of SIDS in different cultures. She compared the rate of infant mortality of babies in South Australia with Chinese and European descent. It was found that "Australian babies of Chinese descent died of SIDS far less often than did Australian babies of European descent" (Berger, 2012, p.6). Beal learned through observation that "Chinese babies were laid on their backs and European babies were laid on their stomach" (Berger, 2012, p.6). SIDS rates decreased when parents were encouraged to lie babies on their backs.

            A study was conducted on births " in the Inuit-inhabited areas of Canada" (Luo, Senecal, Guimond, Penney, 2010). Infant mortality was high among the Aborigines due to preterm birth, stillbirth pregnancies, and infant death. 95% of infants had a higher risk of SIDS because of the quality of maternal and infant care. In conclusion, results of both studies showed that babies who slept on their backs had a decreased risk of SIDS. "Prenatal care, maternal diet, breast-feeding, facial features, and baby blanket fabrics" (Berger, 2012, p.6) are a few of the other possible variables to study in further research.

References

Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Luo, Zhong-Cheng, MD, PhD; Senécal, Sacha, PhD; Simonet, Fabienne, MS; Guimond, Éric, PhD; Penney, Christopher, MA; et al.  My Birth outcomes in the Inuit-inhabited areas of Canada Canadian Medical Association. Journal182.3(Feb 23, 2010): 235-42.