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Part I - SUDDEN
INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
What is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
What Causes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?
Was the Baby's Death Our Fault?
Could Our Baby Have Been Smothered?
Did Our Baby Suffer?
Did the Way The Baby Was Fed Matter?
Why Did The Gardaí Call?
Is A Post-Mortem Necessary?
Baptism
SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME - SIDS (Cot Death)
SIDS is the medical term for what in Ireland is commonly called cot
death. Throughout this booklet the term SIDS is used.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, which is
commonly called cot death, is best explained by describing a typical
example. A baby is put down to rest. Some time later the child is found
dead. There has been no sound, no struggle. A post-mortem fails to show
an adequate cause for the death.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) occurs all over the world. In 1992
and 1993, one baby a week died of SIDS in Ireland.
SIDS (Cot Death) does not necessarily happen in cots. It may occur in
a pram, bed, car seat or anywhere a baby is resting.
SIDS, at present, cannot be prevented by parents or doctors. As yet
no-one knows what causes SIDS. The babies appear healthy prior to death.
SIDS is not contagious. It does not threaten other family members or
neighbours.
SIDS does not generally run in families. The risk of it occurring to
a subsequent child is minimal.
SIDS is not new. It has been known since ancient times. The reason that
it has come into prominence now is that advances in medical knowledge
have eliminated so many of the other causes of infant deaths.
Even though you will hear and read many opposing claims and theories
about SIDS, no one yet knows what causes it, or how to prevent it. However,
over the past thirty years, researchers have made significant advances
in their understanding of SIDS and now recognise that it has no single
cause. Research continues in Ireland and in other parts of the world
to identify the causes and means of prevention.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN
ASKED ABOUT SIDS:
In the present state of medical knowledge, the causes
of SIDS are not known. Recent guidelines (based on scientific research),
while appearing to reduce the risk, D NOT prevent sudden infant deaths.
The post-mortem may show evidence of a mild infection, not sufficient
to cause death. Research shows that SIDS is not caused by suffocation,
nor by vomiting or choking. Nor is it caused by an allergy such as to
cow's milk. Sometimes milk, or even blood tinged froth is found around
the baby's mouth or bedding. This happens during or after death, and is
NOT the cause of death.
Parents often feel responsible for the death of their
child. They go over and over in their minds whether there was anything
they did, or did not do, which could have led to their child's death.
Parents needlessly blame themselves, each other, relatives or minders
- even the family doctor is sometimes blamed. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
occurs in families, rich or poor, no matter how competent. SIDS can occur
in hospital to healthy babies admitted, for example, for minor surgery.
While feelings of guilt and blame are a normal part of grieving, it is
essential to realise that no one yet knows what causes SIDS or how to
prevent it.
If you found your baby face down, wedged into a corner
of the cot, head covered by blankets, it is natural to think that your
baby may have smothered. However, many babies sleep face down or have
blankets over their faces with no harmful effects. Smothering is NOT the
cause of SIDS.
SIDS occurs very rapidly during sleep, perhaps instantaneously.
There may be some movement during the last few seconds of life, accounting
for tossed blankets or unusual position in the cot. Parents' experience
tells that their babies do not cry out and very often do not show the
slightest trace of having been disturbed in their sleep. It is safe, therefore,
to assume that SIDS does not cause any pain or suffering.
Breast-feeding does not prevent SIDS. Irish and international
research has shown that SIDS occurs in breast-fed and bottle-fed babies.
It can be very distressing for parents to have Gardaí
call following their baby's death, but if we know the reasons for the
visit, it may make it easier to understand. It does not mean that the
Gardaí think you have done something wrong. They are there to help
you. When a previously healthy person, adult or child, dies suddenly and
unexpectedly and of no immediate apparent cause, a doctor may not by law,
sign a death certificate. He/she must notify the Coroner whose duty it
is to establish the cause of death. To do this, the Coroner asks the Gardaí
to call and ascertain the circumstances of the death on his/her behalf
and then requests the pathologist to perform a post-mortem and report
back the findings. This is the procedure required with every sudden death
and when we have a clearer understanding of the role of the Gardaí,
i.e. acting for the Coroner, it can help to alleviate some of the distress
experienced at this most interesting time.
The Coroner requests a pathologist to perform a post-mortem
examination. This is necessary in order to make a diagnosis of SIDS. Essentially,
this is a diagnosis made only after a thorough post-mortem examination.
The thoughts of a post-mortem often evoke fear and distress in the parents
at the time of death, but it has been found to be a source of reassurance
for them in the future. Many parents find it helpful to discuss the post-mortem
findings either with their own family doctor, a paediatrician, or directly
with the pathologist involved.
Baptism is a concern of Christian parents and their
children and this note is for them. For such parents the death of their
child without the sacrament of baptism can be a source of additional distress.
According to the Christian faith, the loving mercy of God, who desires
that all people be saved, means that children who have died without baptism
will, indeed, come to share in the fullness of life and salvation. In
all Christian denominations, a funeral service can be held for baptised
and non-baptised children alike. Parents may wish to get in touch with
their parish clergy or with the Hospital Chaplain of their own denomination
regarding arrangements for this service. |