Possible Causes Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome example essay topic

Abstract Sudden Infant Death Syndrome remains the leading cause of post-neonatal mortality (under the age of one) in developed countries. The causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome have been puzzling and research is being conducted to solve this catastrophic problem. Having a child under the age of one makes me very concerned, along with any other parent (s), that the possibility of SIDS could affect any infant at anytime, SIDS does not discriminate. I am seeking to find the possible causes to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome so in the future deaths could be avoided. Researchers have studied the many possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and four have been selected for this paper. The first study addressed the effects of an infant's sleeping position and other prenatal risks associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The SIDS victims were matched with four control groups of the same gender, age and place of birth. The second study researched the possible correlation between the brain weights of SIDS victims at death to those infants that died of other causes, only when the brain had not been damaged. The study took place between the years of 1980 and 2003 within the same local population. In the third study medical and demographic characteristics where analyzed among infants that were 24 to 32 week's gestation weighing 500 to 2500 grams of SIDS victims and non SIDS victims.

The researchers attempted to find a correlation between the two groups of preterm infants. The fourth study was conducted to investigate a possible correlation between the postnatal growths preceding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In this particular study the victims of SIDS were matched with two controls of the same age. The research was collected by parental interview review of medical records and body weights. Finally, I will review the findings, compare the four studies and illustrate my conclusions and provide my personal synthesis. I hope to gain knowledge and insight into the possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

First Study SummarySIDS and Sleeping Position and Prenatal CareOyen, N., Markestad, T., Skaerven, R., Irgens, L.M., Helweh-Larsen, K., Alm, B., Norvenius, G., Wennergren, G. (1998). Combined Effects of Sleeping Position and Prenatal Risk Factors in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: The Nordic Epidemiological SIDS Study. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 21,614-621. The objective of this correlational, structured interview study was to find a correlation between infants who slept in the prone / side sleeping position or in the supine sleeping position and the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The researchers also examined a correlation between the prenatal risk factors and the incidences of SIDS. Sample: The researcher collected a sample of 244 SIDS cases and 869 controls in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. All the SIDS diagnosis were confirmed by the same forensic pathologist for accuracy. Four control groups were selected with the criteria of sameness in gender, age and place of birth. Method: Between the years of 1992 to 1995 the parents of the SIDS victims completed a questionnaire inquired as to the potential risk factors of SIDS. The questions on the questionnaire were regarding the sleeping position (independent variable) of the infant and prenatal information (independent variable) prior to death due to SIDS (dependent variable).

Findings: The results found a high risk factor in prone and side sleeping in infants 13 to 24 weeks old and that the risk for prone sleeping was higher in girls than it was for boys. Also, the incidence of SIDS was higher in prone and side sleeping positions than supine sleeping position. The incidence of SIDS was found to be greater in infants of low birth weight and that were considered preterm. Additionally, infants who experienced intrauterine retarded growth showed a higher risk for SIDS when slept in the prone and side positions as compared to supine position.

Second Study SummarySIDS and Brain Weight Kadhim, Hazim (2005). Incongruent Cerebral Growth in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Journal of Child Neurology, 20,244-246. The objective of this correlational study was to find a correlation between the weight of the brain at the time of death and the incidence of SIDS. In addition the researchers examined the relationship between brain growth and head circumference. Sample: The authors / researchers began with one hundred twenty brains that were divided into the following groups: 97 brains from SIDS victims and 23 from victims which died having no occurrence of brain damage.

Method: Between 1980 and 2003 each victim, within the same local population, had an autopsy performed. Autopsy data was obtained from reports coming from a single neuro pathologist (H.K. ). The weight of the brain was recorded after the spinal cord was detached at the point of the foramen magnum and the dura mater was removed. The researchers looked for a correlation between the weight of the brain (independent variable) and the occurrence of SIDS (dependent variable). The weights of the individual brains were compared with the "norm" brain weight.

The researchers then compared the brain weight against the infants head circumference. Findings: The results revealed that the weight of the brain in SIDS victims was heavier than the non SIDS group; therefore 72% of SIDS victim's brains are abnormally heavier than their counterpart of only 13% being heavier. It was found that none of the infants suffered from an increased head circumference. This data implied that victims of SIDS seem to have inconsistent brain growth as compared to other non SIDS victims. Third Study SummarySIDS and Preterm Infants Malloy, Michael H., (2004). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among Extremely Preterm Infants: United State 1997-1999.

Journal of Perinatology, 24,181-187. The objective of this particular study was to examine the socio demographic and medical risk factors in the United States that were associated with infants dying of SIDS in the post neonatal period as compared to the infants of similar gestation surviving the post neonatal period or dying of other causes in that same period. Sample: The researchers collected data to find a correlation between the death of an infant (dependent variable) in and the potential causes, being preterm birth (independent variable). The study was conducted on infants of the age range 24 to 32 week's gestation and identifies characteristics that are more rampant among infants dying of SIDS in the post neonatal period. They were then compared to infants of similar gestation who survived or who had died of non related causes in the postnatal period.

Method: Data was collected by means of a correlational, case study method. Information was obtained from birth and death certificates for the years of 1997, 1998 and 1999. The study was limited to people that were residents in the United States and infants with a birth weight of 500 to 2500 grams. Findings: The results of the study concluded that there seemed to be a higher correlation between the infants socio demographic characteristics than the medical risks; thus, leading the researchers to believe that in the future the risk of SIDS needs to be addressed through alteration of their environment and modification of the parent's behavior.

Fourth Study SummarySIDS and Postnatal Growth Brooks, J.G., Gilbert, R.E., Flemming, P.J., Berry, P.J., Golding, J. (1996). Postnatal Growth Preceding Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Journal of Chiropractic Technique, 94,456-459. The objective of this study was to determine a correlation between age matched controls and the postnatal growth preceding the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Sample: The authors researched all infants that died of SIDS between May 1, 1987 and April 30, 1989 in geographical defined regions that consisted of four health regions in Avon and North Somerset in southwest New England; 78 of the 99 SIDS victims and 139 of 156 control infants were included in the final analysis. Method: The authors conducted a correlational, case study method that included parental interview, postnatal age and the neighborhood which the subject resided in.

Each case of SIDS subjects was matched with two control groups. The clinical and demographic data was collected through parental interviews and a review of their medical records. The researchers collected data regarding body weights by means of the health department reports. Findings: The study determined there was no difference in postnatal growth (independent variable) of the SIDS group (dependent variable) and the control groups.

The birth weight showed a mean growth rate of 1.0 grams per day for the SIDS group and 1.5 grams per day for the control group. For the last two live weights the mean was 2.9 grams per day for the SIDS groups and 2.1 grams per day for the control group. The gender, gestational age, the comparison of breast feeding or bottle feeding, age at death and maternal smoking during pregnancy were examined and did not show any significant difference between the SIDS group and control group. General Summary and Personal Synthesis The central theme of all four research articles was the possible causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Each report consistently showed how the independent variable did or did not affect the dependent variable, which was SIDS. The conclusion that can be determined from the studies is that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can be caused by many different factors and that these studies only touched on a few of the many.

The four studies focused on infants who had fallen victim to SIDS. The studies also relied on reports or interviews from the parents for data to help the researchers conclude what the factors of SIDS could be. Shortly after the birth of my daughter I started to notice the cases of SIDS around the greater Ogden area. I think that the above studies are just a portion of the many factors that can contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

It appears that the sleeping position does not influence the incidences of SIDS. Two decades ago it was not an uncommon practice for infants to be slept on their stomach; in fact this is what the physician recommended. The research indicates however, that there is a strong correlation between extremely preterm infants and the instances of SIDS. Through the research provided, I concluded that when a baby is born preterm their brain, along with many other internal organs, is not as fully developed as that of an infant that had reached full gestation. I believe that these studies concerning SIDS address only a small portion of the larger problem and that there needs to be more research done to narrow down the causes.

Bibliography

Brooks, J.G., Gilbert, R.E., Flemming, P.J., Berry, P.J., Golding, J. (1996).
Kadhim, Hazim., (2005).
Malloy, Michael H. (2004).
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome among Extremely Preterm Infants: United States 1997-1999.
Open, N., Markestad, T., Skaerven, R., Irgens, L.M., Helweh-Larsen, K., Alm, B., Norvenius, G., Wennergren, G. (1998).