Feb 24, 2020
Infant Loss Resources serves as a source of information and support for healthcare professionals, childcare providers, parent educators, and police and other emergency workers who are the first to respond to a family who has experienced an infant death. Ongoing educational programs are presented both to students and working professionals throughout Missouri, and in surrounding counties in IL and KS. Education enables public health and social service professionals to provide well informed, consistent services for families.
Professional education is also offered to nurses, physicians, child care providers, parent educators, and health educators on the latest recommendations to improve infant health and reduce the risk of death, which includes training on safe sleep for babies.
The definition of SIDS is the sudden, unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant, under one year of age. The death remains unexplained after a complete medical history review, autopsy and death scene investigation, all 3 of which are required by law.
While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, researchers have been able to identify factors that are associated with infants and infant care practices that increase the risk of SIDS. As a result, risk reduction recommendations have been established. Parents and other caregivers should remember that if practiced, these risk reduction techniques will significantly reduce the risk of SIDS.
What is SUID?
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death is an umbrella term used for many
sleep-related infant deaths for which an exact cause may not be
immediately clear or may remain undetermined. SIDS falls
under the umbrella of SUID. Other deaths that are under the
umbrella of SUID are accidental suffocation or asphyxia. When
we look at risk reduction for SIDS/SUID, the steps recommended
reducing the risk are the same.
Age Distribution:
90% of all SIDS/SUID deaths occur in infants less than 6 months of age. 70% of deaths occur in infants between 2 and 4 months of age.
Seasonal Distribution:
More deaths occur in the winter and fall months; most likely
due to babies sleeping with too many layers of clothing or blankets
in the winter
Population Distribution:
Approximately 3,000 – 3,500 babies die of sudden infant
death in the U.S. each year. Annually in the state of
Missouri, approximately 90 – 95 babies succumb to SUID. There
is a gender difference in that 60% male vs. 40% female babies are
affected. SIDS/SUID affects babies of all races, religions
and ethnic groups; however the statistics show us that the
incidence of SIDS/SUID is greater for:
Infant Loss Resouces: http://infantlossresources.org/