Other Names:
SIDS

Symptoms:
The infant suddenly dies.


Cause:
There is no advance warning or symptom. That is what it is called "sudden infant death syndrome." The central nervous system is affected, which in turn suppresses the involuntary act of breathing.

Each year, in the United States, there are 10,000 deaths from this problem. SIDS primarily occurs in the winter, primarily to underweight babies from poor families, and the mothers are generally under 20.

Several possible causes have been traced:

There may be high blood levels of the toxic mineral, lead. It has been reported that there are high levels of lead in infants who die of SIDS.

Suffocation may be the cause. It has been found that infants who were laid on their stomachs, to go to sleep, are much more likely to suddenly die than infants who are laid on their backs.

Breast-fed babies are less susceptible to SIDS. In addition, they have less allergies, respiratory diseases, hypoglycemia, obesity, and gastroenteritis.

It is now known that SIDS can be caused by the pertussis vaccine, which is given to infants at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

Treatment:
• Give careful attention to each of the above factors.

• Both the mother and child should receive nourishing food. If the infant is breast-fed, the mother's diet should be excellent; if the baby is bottle-fed, then, if possible, fresh boiled goat's milk should be used. Mothers should nurse their babies, if at all possible.

• Locate allergenic foods and eliminate them.

• The mother should avoid chemicals, drugs, and junk food during and after pregnancy. Even aspirin is not good (it interferes with blood clotting, and could damage the fetus).

• Do not use caffeine, alcohol, or tobacco; they harm the unborn child, so it does not develop properly.