What is the actual cause of SIDS?
While the cause of SIDS is unknown, many clinicians and researchers believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to arouse from sleep, to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide.
What research has been done on SIDS?
Researchers have confirmed that abnormalities in a common brain chemical are linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). University of Adelaide researchers have confirmed that abnormalities in a common brain chemical are linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Is SIDS a crime?
Many SIDS deaths remain a mystery. Unfortunately, some SIDS deaths end up resulting in criminal charges for parents or caretakers, compounding tragedy on top of tragedy.
How does SIDS affect the family?
Children will also be affected by the baby’s death. They may fear that other members of the family, including themselves, will also suddenly die. Children often also feel guilty about the death of a sibling and may feel that they had something to do with the death. Children may not show their feelings in obvious ways.
What do researchers scientists know about SIDS?
Children’s neuropathologist Hannah Kinney, MD, and colleagues have found that babies who die from SIDS have abnormalities in the brainstem, the part of the brain that controls breathing; that responds to re-breathing too much carbon dioxide; and that regulates blood pressure and body temperature — all of which are …
Can SIDS cause brain damage?
Studies have shown that some babies who die from SIDS have the following: Problems with brain functioning. Some babies have problems with the part of the brain that helps control breathing and waking during sleep. Babies born with problems in other parts of the brain or body may also be more likely to die from SIDS.
Is SIDS caused by parents fault?
No one is to blame for SIDS. Almost all parents or caregivers feel in some way to blame for the baby’s death until they begin to understand the facts about SIDS. Sometimes parents blame each other. Sometimes families blame the caregiver, or the doctor who said the baby was healthy.
Can SIDS be murdered?
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been used as a cause of death for over four decades. It has allowed deaths of infants to be registered as natural. Within this group of deaths, a certain number have been recognized to be homicides from inflicted smothering rather than being natural or accidental deaths.
What causes sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS )?
Mutations can give rise to genetic disorders that can cause sudden unexpected death. If there is a family history of a metabolic disorder, genetic screening can determine if one or both of the parents are carriers of the mutation, and, if so, the baby can be tested soon after birth.
How is the C4 gene related to SIDS?
Partial deletions of the C4 gene are fairly common and are found in up to 20 percent of the white population. Other examples of polymorphisms and genetic mutations are more common in SIDS infants, but how they are related to SIDS is unknown.
What is the triple risk model for SIDS?
The Triple-Risk Model describes the convergence of three conditions that may lead to the death of an infant from SIDS. 2 Vulnerable infant. An underlying defect or brain abnormality makes the baby vulnerable.
Where are brain abnormalities found in SIDS patients?
These abnormalities are typically found within a network of neurons that use serotonin as a neurotransmitter and are located in a portion of the brain stem likely to control breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and waking from sleep. 4 But scientists believe that brain abnormalities alone might not be sufficient to cause SIDS.