Exam 4 - SIDS

Question 1

What is sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)? What is the usual cause of death?

Answer 1

Definition: sudden unexplained death before 1 year of age

• Usually occurs in a previously healthy infant
• Cause of death remains unexplained despite thorough investigation

Question 2

What is the third leading cause of death in infancy?

Answer 2

SIDS

Question 3

SIDS risk factors

Answer 3

• Prone and side sleeping
• Soft bedding
• Bed sharing
• Inappropriate bed surfaces
• Exposure to tobacco smoke
• Prematurity

Question 4

SIDS protective factors

Answer 4

• Breastfeeding
• Pacifier use (stimulates breathing)
• Ceiling fan
• Room sharing
• Immunizations

Question 5

Pathophysiology of SIDS: anatomical causes

Answer 5

• Cortex - maintains sleep, responds to wake-up signal
• Subcortex - sends wake-up signal to cortex
• Respiratory - signals danger to subcortex when blocked
• Cardiovascular - irregular heartbeat (qtc)

Question 6

Pathophysiology of SIDS: malfunction (external) causes

Answer 6

• Birth defect
• Apnea
• Prone sleeping hinders cortical function
• Smoking and drugs
• Overheating causes irregular heartbeat (qtc)

Question 7

Deaths that were once thought to be attributed to SIDS are now attributed to other sleep related causes. What are these other causes?

Answer 7

Accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB)

• Soft bedding, bed sharing, prone sleeping