Sids: Treatment, Procedure, Cost and Side Effects

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a devastating condition that does not have a set reason for occurring. Called SIDS for short, this syndrome refers to the sudden and totally unexplained death of an infant that is otherwise healthy. It usually occurs in babies that are under a year old. Since the condition leads to death, there is no treatment for the same. Scientists who have conducted research regarding this condition now believe that this condition occurs mainly due to a defect present in the infant’s brain that is related to arousal from sleep and breathing. While the actual causes are not known, there are a few suggested precautions that can be taken to prevent SIDS from occurring.

There are a few precautionary measures that can be used to prevent SIDS from occurring. The first is to make your baby sleep on his/her back. Babies who are put to sleep on their sides or stomachs often find it harder to breathe. Another essential thing to do is to keep the crib bare. Do not add any toys or fluffy mattresses as they can hamper the breathing. Ensure your baby is dressed in clothes that are warm enough that an additional blanket is not required. It is believed that SIDS is less likely to occur in babies who sleep in the same room as their parents, however, this does not mean putting the baby in the same bed as that can be hazardous to the breathing. Breastfeeding is also said to reduce the chances of SIDS from occurring.

It is believed that SIDS occurs more often in non-white babies than white ones. It is also believed that the period between the baby being 2 months to 4 months of age is the most risky one for developing SIDS. However, having said that, it is essential to keep all the precautions in mind for any infant under the age of one year.

SIDS does not occur in babies over a year old however, you should continue to take these precautions just to be on the safe side.

Apart from the death of the infant, some of the other side effects for parents include depression and marital issues. It is essential to seek counselling as SIDS is unexplained and it is hard to gain closure from such a devastating condition.

There are no post-treatment guidelines for SIDS. Parents should not feel discouraged to have another child, if they wish to.

There is no recovery time.

Since there is no treatment, there is no price.

Unfortunately, the condition results in death.

There are no alternatives to the treatment.