Which of the following infants is least probable to develop sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)?
A. Baby Angela who was premature
B. A sibling of Baby Angie who died of SIDS
C. Baby Gabriel with prenatal drug exposure
D. Baby Gabby who sleeps on his back
Correct Answer: D. Baby Gabby who sleeps on his back
Infants who sleep on their back are least likely to develop SIDS. However, SIDS has been associated with infants who sleep on their abdomens. The incidence of SIDS declined by more than 50 percent in the United States after physicians began to promote “On the back to sleep.” After the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a recommendation for supine sleeping in 1992, the incidence of SIDS decreased.
Option A: Several studies identify the prone sleeping position, sleeping on soft surfaces, sleeping with soft objects, co-sleeping with a parent/parents, maternal smoking during pregnancy, maternal age less than 20 years, late/no prenatal care, preterm birth, low birth weight, lack of breastfeeding, and overheating as risk factors in SIDS deaths.
Option B: Siblings of SIDS infants have an increased risk of dying as a result of SIDS. Siblings are 5-6 times more likely to die from SIDS than the general population. After investigation, not all sibling deaths can be attributed to SIDS. Sibling deaths were found to be attributable to inborn errors of metabolism, abuse, and malnourishment.
Option C: Maternal drug use and exposure to smoke from tobacco are associated with a higher incidence of SIDS. Exposure to secondhand smoke is an independent risk factor for SIDS, and the risk increases with an increasing amount of exposure. Maternal drug use is associated with a higher incidence of SIDS, although it is not clear whether this is a direct or an indirect effect.