With latest research suggesting that babies who succumb to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are more likely to be unwell in the few days beforehand, North East GP Dr Zak Uddin examines a frightening disease that at one point almost became an epidemic

DESPITE the success of the “Back to Sleep” campaign 25 years ago, led by TV star Anne Diamond, whose son Sebastian, tragically died at only 4 months old, worrying figures show that the number of babies succumbing to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in Yorkshire, is actually rising, against a trend of decreasing deaths nationally.

A recent poll by the Lullaby Trust worryingly revealed that up to four-in-10 new parents were still unaware of the most basic measure of reducing their baby’s risk of SIDS, that being placing them on their back when going to sleep.

As the name suggests, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of a baby assumed to be previously fit and well. It typically occurs in the first six months of life and is more common in premature or low birthweight babies.

There is a higher occurrence in boys than girls. In the 1970s and 80s it almost became an epidemic, with an incidence of one in every 250 live births, compared to one in 3,000 today. It struck all families irrespective of social class.

At this time, a Bristol academic, Dr. Peter Fleming, worked tirelessly with families who had lost a baby to SIDS, examining the factors that were prevalent in these cases, only looking at sleeping position almost to rule it out as a risk factor.

Despite overwhelming evidence showing a link between sleeping position and SIDS, the medical community initially rejected his data, as it had not been obtained through controlled trials.

This all changed with the death of baby Sebastian, with Anne Diamond confronting the then Health Secretary to make this piece of information a Public Health Campaign of immediate importance.

Since then the number of deaths in England and Wales has dropped from a figure of 1,545 in 1989 to under 200 last year.

Although in the almost 30 years that have passed, we still have not found the actual cause of SIDS, there is a greater awareness of the factors that increase the risk as well as how to hopefully reduce your baby’s chances of succumbing.

The do’s and don’t’s are refreshingly simple and can be summarised as follows.

Do place your baby on their back to sleep. They should be placed in the “feet to foot position”, with their feet gently touching the bottom of the cot. Do make sure that your baby’s head is uncovered, with sheets no higher than their shoulders.

Use light sheets, and avoid heavy bedding in which they may become entangled and potentially struggle to breathe.

For the first six months, do position your baby’s cot in the same room as that in which you sleep, so that you are immediately aware if they become distressed. Adequate heat is important, with a room temperature between 16-20 degrees centigrade currently recommended.

Do not place your baby on their front when they are about to sleep. Do not go to sleep with your baby in a chair or bed, especially if you are under the influence of alcohol, as you may unknowingly roll over onto them.

Smoking is one of the most modifiable risk factors in reducing your baby’s risk of SIDS.

New evidence from the Royal Leicester Hospital has suggested that babies who died of SIDS were more likely to have had a prodromal illness in the days beforehand, so if you are worried about your baby being unwell, please access same day medical advice.

Situations which should prompt you to call 999 immediately are if you find your baby unresponsive or you can’t wake them, if they are struggling to breathe, or if they have a fit, even if this is followed by recovery.

The heartache of losing a baby to a disease still not fully understood, or indeed any disease, should not be underestimated, with some parents still mourning the loss of what could have been, decades after the event.

Today there are many charities working with families to hopefully make this pain more bearable, as well as providing some understanding of what happened.

The advice as to how to reduce the chances of SIDS is very simple, so is vitally important that all new parents and indeed anyone looking after a new baby, make themselves familiar with the do’s and don’ts, as well as when to seek medical help.

All appropriately trained doctors will be more than happy to see a baby immediately if there is any concern over their health or wellbeing.

Useful Websites