SIDS and SUID
Definition: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant younger than 1 year of age that remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation. This investigation includes performing a complete autopsy, examining the death scene, and reviewing the clinical history.
When a baby dies, health care providers, law enforcement personnel, and communities try to find out why. They ask questions, examine the baby, gather information, and run tests. If they can’t find a cause for the death, and if the baby was younger than 1 year old, the medical examiner or coroner will call the death SIDS.
Definition: SUID is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant in which the manner and cause of death are not immediately obvious prior to investigation.
The current definition of SUID includes 3 classifications:
The Unknown Causes may include acid reflux, respiratory infection, metabolic disorders, hypothermia or hyperthermia, and other causes.
The SIDS rate has been declining significantly since the early 1990s. However, CDC research has found that the decline in SIDS since 1999 corresponds to an increase in other SUID type deaths during the same period. The reduction of the SIDS death rate since 1999 can be explained by changes in how investigations classify cause of death to other non-SIDS types of SUID deaths.
When a baby dies, health care providers, law enforcement personnel, and communities try to find out why. They ask questions, examine the baby, gather information, and run tests. If they can’t find a cause for the death, and if the baby was younger than 1 year old, the medical examiner or coroner will call the death SIDS.
Definition: SUID is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant in which the manner and cause of death are not immediately obvious prior to investigation.
The current definition of SUID includes 3 classifications:
- SIDS
- Addidental Suffocation and Strangulation in Bed
- Unknown Causes which do not meet the criteria for categories 1 and 2
The Unknown Causes may include acid reflux, respiratory infection, metabolic disorders, hypothermia or hyperthermia, and other causes.
The SIDS rate has been declining significantly since the early 1990s. However, CDC research has found that the decline in SIDS since 1999 corresponds to an increase in other SUID type deaths during the same period. The reduction of the SIDS death rate since 1999 can be explained by changes in how investigations classify cause of death to other non-SIDS types of SUID deaths.
The recommendations for a safe sleeping environment were developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). These recommendations are supported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The recommendations have evolved from the "Back to Sleep" program which began in the late 1980's and which was formally recommended by NICHD in 1994. Compliance to the recommendations has reached about 75%, and has resulted in more than a 40% decrease in the number of SUIDS deaths between 1990 and 2000.
Recommendations on Safe Sleep from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
- Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, for naps and at night, to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Use a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet, to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
- It is recommended that infants sleep in the parents’ room, close to the parents’ bed, but on a separate surface designed for infants, ideally for the first year of life, but at least for the first 6 months.
- Keep soft objects, toys, crib bumpers, and loose bedding out of your baby's sleep area to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
- To reduce the risk of SIDS, women should:
- Get regular health care during pregnancy, and
- Not smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs during pregnancy or after your baby is born.
- To reduce the risk of SIDS, do not smoke during pregnancy, and do not smoke or allow smoking around your baby.
- Breastfeed your baby to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Give your baby a dry pacifier that is not attached to a string for naps and at night to reduce the risk of SIDS.
- Do not let your baby get too hot during sleep.
- Follow your health care provider's guidance on your baby's vaccines and regular health checkups.
- Give your baby plenty of Tummy Time when he or she is awake and when someone is watching.
In spite of the recommendation to not monitor infants for the prevention of SIDS, many parents feel that they need the additional reassurance that their child is OK. There are several commercial monitoring products available, as well as medical grade monitoring products.
Commercial grade products are not certified for medical use where there is a medical necessity or risk factor present. Parents should always consult with their pediatrician in these cases for recommendation and/or prescription for the proper medical grade monitor.
Most of the commercial grade products monitor movement, however there are some now available that measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. The movement monitors include motion sensor pads that are placed either directly under the infant or under the mattress. They detect any motion by the infant, and if there is no movement for a period of time, they will sound an alarm. One of the disadvantages of these pads is that they are not very portable.
Another type of motion detection monitor attaches to the diaper or clothing and monitors movement and/or changes in pressure from the abdomen. These devices sound an alarm if there is no movement, and some also have the option of providing a vibration stimulus to arouse the infant in the case that no movement is detected. One of the advantages of these devices is that they are mobile and can travel where ever the infant goes.
There are also a few commercial products on the market that monitor oxygen in the blood, known as pulse oximeters. These devices monitor both heart rate and the oxygen saturation in the blood (SpO2). These monitor can detect hypoxic conditions, which have been linked to SIDS and SUID deaths. Many of these pulse oximeters require wires connected to the infant, which with older infants may cause a risk of strangulation. However, there are newer models coming out that are wireless. The wireless versions are also portable, so they can be taken wherever the infant goes.
Medical grade monitors can also be obtained, but are more expensive. They can be rented, but the rental cost can also be high. Medical insurance usually does not cover the cost unless a specific risk factor can be established. There is a variety of medical grade monitors that measure respiration, heart rate, and SpO2, however, most of them require wires to be connected to the infant, making them somewhat inconvenient.
Commercial grade products are not certified for medical use where there is a medical necessity or risk factor present. Parents should always consult with their pediatrician in these cases for recommendation and/or prescription for the proper medical grade monitor.
Most of the commercial grade products monitor movement, however there are some now available that measure the amount of oxygen in the blood. The movement monitors include motion sensor pads that are placed either directly under the infant or under the mattress. They detect any motion by the infant, and if there is no movement for a period of time, they will sound an alarm. One of the disadvantages of these pads is that they are not very portable.
Another type of motion detection monitor attaches to the diaper or clothing and monitors movement and/or changes in pressure from the abdomen. These devices sound an alarm if there is no movement, and some also have the option of providing a vibration stimulus to arouse the infant in the case that no movement is detected. One of the advantages of these devices is that they are mobile and can travel where ever the infant goes.
There are also a few commercial products on the market that monitor oxygen in the blood, known as pulse oximeters. These devices monitor both heart rate and the oxygen saturation in the blood (SpO2). These monitor can detect hypoxic conditions, which have been linked to SIDS and SUID deaths. Many of these pulse oximeters require wires connected to the infant, which with older infants may cause a risk of strangulation. However, there are newer models coming out that are wireless. The wireless versions are also portable, so they can be taken wherever the infant goes.
Medical grade monitors can also be obtained, but are more expensive. They can be rented, but the rental cost can also be high. Medical insurance usually does not cover the cost unless a specific risk factor can be established. There is a variety of medical grade monitors that measure respiration, heart rate, and SpO2, however, most of them require wires to be connected to the infant, making them somewhat inconvenient.
Sleeping Pad Movement Monitors
- Angel Care Sound and Movement Monitor
- BabySense V Hi Sense Movement Monitor
- Snuza Hero Infant Breathing/Movement Monitor
- Respisense Infant Breathing/Movement Monitor
- Levena Oma Sense Infant Breathing/Movement Monitor
- MonBaby Smart Button Infant Breathing/Movement Monitor
- Sense-U Baby Infant Breathing/Movement Monitor
- Owlet Wireless Smart Sock 2
- Baby Vida Oxygen Montor
- Contec Medical Systems Pulse Oximeter CMS50EW-WRP
- Masimo Set Pulse Oximeters - Rad-5 or Rad-7
- Covidien/Nellcore N-65 Patient Monitor
- Nonin Avant 9600 Digital Pulse Oximeter
- Datex Ohmeda TruSat Pulse Oximeter
- Philips IntelliVue MP2 Patient Monitor
- Biolight M7000 Patient Monitor
- CDC Information on SIDS
- NICHD - Sudden Infant Death Syndrme (SIDS)
- NICHD - Safe to Sleep Public Education Campaign
- CJ Foundation for SIDS
- Infant Loss Resource Center
- First Candle Foundation
- The America SIDS Institute
- MISS Foundation for Grieving Parents
- The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Program
- SIDS America Faith Based Foundation
- Southwest SIDS Research Institute
- Guide to Grieving Support Resources