Why are preemies more susceptible to SIDS?

TUESDAY, Dec. 13 (HealthDay News) — Babies who are born prematurely are known to be at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and new research now suggests that’s because their underdeveloped nervous systems can’t control drops in blood pressure as needed during sleep.

Are Preemies more likely to die of SIDS?

The new study, published in the Annals of Epidemiology, shows: Premature babies died of SIDS up to six weeks later than full-term babies, on average. Babies born small for their gestational age had a higher SIDS risk than appropriate-sized infants.

At what age is SIDS no longer a concern?

Although the causes of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) are still largely unknown, doctors do know that the risk of SIDS appears to peak between 2 and 4 months. SIDS risk also decreases after 6 months, and it’s extremely rare after one year of age.

How common is SIDS in preemies?

While 0.51 deaths were reported for every 1,000 births between 39 to 42 weeks, there were 2.68 deaths for every 1,000 births between 24 and 27 weeks.

What are SIDS risk factors?

Several factors increase a baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Low birth weight infants.
• Premature infants.
• Sex of the baby-boys have a higher incidence of SIDS.
• Race: African American, American Indian or Native Alaskan babies have a higher risk for SIDS.
• Babies who sleep on their stomachs.

Do SIDS babies suffocate?

​​​About 3,500 babies die each year in the United States during sleep because of unsafe sleep environments. Some of these deaths are caused by entrapment, suffocation, or strangulation. Some infants die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). However, there are ways for parents to keep their sleeping baby safe.

Does the owlet help prevent SIDS?

Owlet Baby Care’s smart sock monitor, for example, is supposed to track a baby’s heart rate and blood oxygen levels. For one thing, there’s no evidence that monitoring the vital signs of healthy babies actually reduces their risk for SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Are there any warning signs of SIDS?

SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs. Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed. They show no signs of struggle and are often found in the same position as when they were placed in the bed.