<http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/10/28/fans-lower-risk-of-sudden-baby-death.aspx>Fans
Lower Risk of Sudden Baby Death
baby, crib
Using a fan to circulate air lowered the risk of
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in a study of nearly 500 babies.
SIDS is the sudden death of an otherwise healthy
infant that can't be attributed to any other
cause. It may be caused by brain abnormalities
that prevent babies from gasping and waking when they don't get enough oxygen.
Researchers interviewed mothers of 185 infants
who died from SIDS, and mothers of 312 infants of
similar race and age. The mothers answered dozens
of questions about their baby's sleeping
environment. Researchers found that fan use was
associated with a 72 percent lower risk of SIDS.
However, placing babies on their backs to sleep
is still the best advice for preventing SIDS.
Experts also recommend a firm mattress, removing
toys and pillows from cribs, and keeping infants from getting too warm.
Sources:
*
<http://www.livescience.com/health/081008-ap-fans-sudden-death.html>Live
Science October 8, 2008
*
<http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/162/10/963>Archives
of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine October 2008, Vol. 162 No. 10
Dr. Mercola's Comments:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the
leading cause of death for babies up to 1 year
old, and is the third leading cause of infant
mortality in the United States, according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Every
year, over 2,200 infant deaths are attributed to SIDS.
Yet, despite getting a lot of attention in recent
years, the definition of SIDS is completely
ambiguous. It describes the sudden death of an
infant under one year that remains unexplained
after a thorough case investigation. So anytime a
baby is tragically found dead, usually when the
infant is supposed to be sleeping, if no other
cause can be determined, the death is said to be caused by SIDS.
What, then, are the real underlying causes of SIDS?
What Causes SIDS?
One theory suggests that babies who die from SIDS
may have brain abnormalities that prevent them
from waking up when they don’t get enough oxygen
during sleep. An "immaturity" of the central
nervous system -- both brain and cardiovascular
-- is therefore a likely cause of SIDS, and
optimized nutrition for the mother during
pregnancy and after is an essential element of prevention.
All nutrients, including omega-3 and vitamin D,
are important for full fetal and infant development.
For instance, a study published in
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12070659?dopt=Abstract>Acta
neuropathologica back in 2002 found that infants
without the full complement of brain neurons due
to inadequate nutrition are at risk of SIDS
because they are unable to develop appropriate
heart and lung control during a crucial developmental period.
If you or someone you love is currently pregnant
or thinking of becoming pregnant, it is a wise
and simple step to make sure you’re getting enough:
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiencies are common in
the United States, which is unfortunate because
healthy vitamin D levels prevent a host of
illnesses like Parkinson's disease, cancer,
asthma and osteoporosis. A lack of vitamin D may
also be one reason why rates of SIDS among
African Americans are almost twice those of other
ethnicities. It may also explain why SIDS is more
common in winter months, when sunlight is scarce.
I will be publishing an article that Dr. John
Cannell recently published, which suggests that
vitamin D deficiency in the pregnant mom may be
one of the major contributing factors for autism.
It is absolutely imperative that all pregnant
women have their vitamin D levels tested and make
sure their blood levels are between 50 and 60 ng/ml.
Ideally you should get your vitamin D from
healthy sun exposure (and healthy sun exposure
for your baby after he’s born), but you can
supplement with a high-quality, natural vitamin D
as long as you have your levels monitored.
• Omega-3 fats: Omega-3 fat DHA is accumulated in
fetal tissues, particularly the central nervous
system. However, because animal cells cannot form
omega-3 fatty acids, a fetus must obtain all of
its omega-3 fats from its mother’s diet. A
mother’s dietary intake and plasma concentrations
of DHA directly influence the DHA status of the developing fetus.
Aside from lowering the risk of SIDS, omega-3
fats also help to prevent premature deliveries
and maximize your baby’s intelligence.
Be Wary of What’s in Your Baby’s Mattress
There is compelling evidence that SIDS may also
be related to
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7523575?dopt=Abstract>fire
retardants in the baby's mattress. The mechanism
is a common, ordinarily harmless, household
fungus (Scopulariopsis brevicaulis) and certain
microorganisms, which consume the fire-retardant
phosphorus, arsenic and antimony in the mattress plasticizer.
When the microorganisms in your baby’s mattress
consume the fire-retardant and other chemicals,
they emit neurotoxic gases including phosphine,
arsine and stibine. The gas generation starts
when the mattress and bedding warm up, due to contact with the baby’s body.
There are two options to avoid this problem. One
is to avoid purchasing a crib mattress made from
polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which you can pretty
much guarantee will include flame-retardant
chemicals. There are organic crib mattresses out
there that contain no synthetic fabrics,
plastics, formaldehyde, chemicals, dyes or fire
retardants, and these seem to be one of the safest options.
You can also purchase a mattress cover that is
not made from PVC. These are available at baby
care retail stores, or you can make your own
using polythene (same as polyethylene) sheets
from a home improvement store. To wrap your baby’s mattress:
1.Use thick, clear (not colored) polythene
sheeting. The thickness of the polythene must be
at least 125 microns and colorless. Do not use
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) for mattress-wrapping.
2. Place the polythene over the top of the
mattress and down the ends and sides, and secure
it firmly on the underside of the mattress with strong adhesive tape.
3. The polythene on the underside of the
mattress should not be airtight. It must be
airtight on the top and sides of the mattress.
It is imperative to use the correct bedding on
top of the polyethylene cover. Use a fleecy pure
cotton underblanket and tuck this in securely.
Then make the bed using sheets and pure woolen or
pure cotton overblankets. Do not use any type of
moisture-resistant mattress protector, sheepskin,
sheepfleece underlay, acrylic blanket, sleeping bag or duvet.
What About Vaccines?
Though you aren’t likely to hear this in the
mainstream press, vaccinations have also been
linked to an increased risk of SIDS. According to
Joseph Hattersley, co-author of
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1890572128/optimalwellnessc>The
Infant Survival Guide: Protecting Your Baby from
the Dangers of Crib Death, Vaccines and Other
Environmental Hazards (an excellent resource for
parents-to-be) at least two studies show that
after certain vaccinations there are repeated
febrile (with fever) episodes, and SIDS occurred on such days. He writes:
“Each vaccination raises the baby's temperature,
multiplying gas generation in the crib if the
baby is not protected against it, and hence
worsening risk of death by gas poisoning. A rise
in the bedding temperature close to baby's body
from 98.6oF to 104oF can increase gas generation ten-fold or more.
In 1972, P.J. Landrigan, MD, and J.J. Witte, MD,
reported febrile (with fever) convulsions on days
3, 7 to 10, 13, 15, 18, and 25 after measles
vaccination (which is now part of MMR). Other
researchers reported derangement of body
temperature control after a variety of vaccines.
For babies protected by … a properly wrapped
mattress, these fevers pass harmlessly with
normal treatment. But for infants who are not so
protected, vaccinations increase toxic gas
exposure and SIDS risk directly. They also
elevate crib death [SIDS] risk indirectly by
weakening immunity and increasing incidence of
fever-generating asthma and other diseases.”
So if your child has received a vaccination, it
is essential that you do not put him to sleep on
an unprotected chemical-containing mattress.
Tips to Reduce SIDS Risk
SIDS is a tragic and very misunderstood
condition, but one that you can reduce your risk
of by following some simple tips. The top steps
that I suggest all parents follow are:
• Pregnant women should make sure they’re
<http://products.mercola.com/nutritional-typing/>eating
very healthy, basing your diet on whole, fresh
foods and including plenty of animal-based
omega-3 fats, such as krill oil, and vitamin D
from the sun or a high-quality oral supplement.
• Breastfeed your baby. Several studies performed
in the United States and other industrialized
nations reveal increased risks of SIDS among
babies who receive formula instead of breast milk.
• Put your baby to sleep on their back. Babies
who sleep on their tummy or side are more likely to die from SIDS.
• Use a chemical-free crib mattress, or one
covered with an appropriate mattress cover. The
mattress itself should be firm, and there should
be no covers, pillow, bumper pads, stuffed
animals, or toys, as these all increase the risk of SIDS.
• Be careful not to put too many clothes on the
baby at bedtime. Use just enough clothing to keep
the baby comfortable but not so much that they could overheat.
• Keep your baby’s room temperature comfortable
(again, you want to avoid overheating the baby),
and use a fan to help circulate the air.
• Learn about the risks of vaccinations, and
decide which ones are right, or not right, for your baby.
• Avoid cigarette smoke. Babies born to mothers
who smoked during pregnancy, or raised in an area
where they’re exposed to tobacco smoke, are more likely to die from SIDS.
• Don’t let your baby sleep in your bed. The
loose bedding and covers could increase the risk
of SIDS. The best place for your baby is in a
crib next to your bed, for at least the first six months.
Related Articles:
[]
SIDS Risk Greater in Daycare Centers
[]
A Response to the Toxic Gas Theory of SIDS
[]
Vaccinations, Toxic Gases and SIDS
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