SIDS Remains Leading Cause Of Death Among Infants

San Andreas, Ca — October is SIDS Awareness Month, and the Calaveras County Public Health Department is raising awareness about prevention methods.

SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

?Even though it might seem like it is a rare condition, SIDS is still the leading cause of infant mortality,? says Dr. Dean Kelaita, Calaveras County Health Officer. ?It´s the sudden death of an infant younger than a year old. Medical examinations on an infant that dies from SIDS don´t really point towards anything that we can concretely attribute to the cause of death.?

Kelaita says that there are ways, however, to reduce the risk of SIDS. When an infant is sleeping, always make sure that they are on their back, on a firm surface, and that objects, toys and loose bedding are out of the child´s sleep area. It is also important that no one smokes around the infant and that the child does not overheat while asleep.

Health officials warn parents and caregivers to not rely on products claiming to reduce SID´s risks or home monitors.

?Encourage the use of safe sleep practices with everyone who cares for your baby,? adds Kelaita. “The single most effective action that you can take is to place your baby on his/her back to sleep for naps and at night.?

Written by BJ Hansen