I chose SIDS as the topic that is meaingful to me because I have a newborn and I've heard some scary stories about SIDS.
One of the stories that I heard recently was a parent put her 6 week old baby in daycare and the baby died the first day at the center. They called this SIDS. When I heard this, it was very scary because at the time I was about 6 months pregnant with my first child. Now that my baby is here, I tried to get as much information on this topic.
According to American Academy of Pediatrics, "SIDS is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Its the unexplained death of a baby younger than 1 year". It also states that the safest way to sleep: place the baby on his back, babies who sleep on their stomachs are at a higher risk for SIDS, side sleeping is not as safe as back sleeping and is not advised.
The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births. The neonatal period extends from birth through day 27. The post-neonatal period extends from day 28 through day 364. SIDS Rates In 1996, there were 2,051 reported infant deaths in Canada. Of these deaths, 168 (8.2%) were attributed to SIDS.Since 1980, the overall rate of SIDS deaths in Canada has been steadily declining from 1.2 per 1,000 live births in 1980 to 0.5 per 1,000 live births in 1996 SIDS Rates Canada, 1980-1996 Source: Statistics Canada. Mortality: summary list of causes, 1980-1995. Statistics Canada. Canadian Vital Statistics System, 1996.In 1996, SIDS was the leading cause of post-neonatal mortality in Canada, accounting for 26% of all post-neonatal deaths. Birth defects, the second leading cause, accounted for 23% of post-neonatal deaths. As both the post-neonatal mortality rate and the SIDS rate have declined, the proportion of post-neonatal mortality attributed to SIDS has remained steady since 1980In comparison to other developed countries, the 1996 Canadian SIDS rate of 0.5 per 1,000 live births is lower than the rate in Australia (0.9 per 1,000 live births), USA (0.8 per 1,000 live births) and England/Wales (0.7 per 1,000 live births). However, the Canadian rate remains higher than rates reported in Japan (0.4 per 1,000 live births) and the Netherlands (0.3 per 1,000 live births)
This information has taught me ways to prevent SIDS. I was already familiar with some of the ways but not all of them. It will help me with my newborn and I can share this with upcoming mothers.
As a daycare worker I find SIDS a frightening topic. During nap time I frequently walk around and check the children. I will move their blankets, touch their backs to continuously keep checking on them.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, one of the infants at the day care, a mother was insisting that her child sleeps on his stomach during nap time. This alarmed our workers, and we were very fearful of this practice!
I am glad to hear you are getting the information you wish before your child is born.
Hi Cassie,
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late response. Wow!! I know that was scary when the mother wanted her child to sleep on his stomach. I know you all kept an eye on him the entire nap time. I'm glad I got this information too because I take all precautions no matter what. Thanks for your comments and good luck!!