Since 1983, the rate of SIDS has fallen by over 50 percent as parents followed statistical evidence with regards to pacifiers and sleeping positions. Sadly, there are still thousands of deaths per year in the United States, and thousands more throughout the world.
According to a study of nearly 500 babies published in the October 2008 Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, using a fan to circulate air correlates with a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The debate continues as some experts question various other factors not incorporated into the study, but the report’s authors believe the 72% reduction associated with fan use may be an effective intervention for further decreasing SIDS risk in infants.
The rate of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, has fallen dramatically in the last decades, but not enough. Statistics vary from between two to three thousand a year, up to six thousand, but research is difficult when the cause of death is unknown; the definition of SIDS is an unexplained death. Since winter is the time of year with the highest levels of SIDS deaths, it’s worthwhile to review what precautions may be taken to avert a parent’s worst nightmare.
Although pacifiers have been promoted as showing an effectiveness in lowering the risk of SIDS, the dramatic decrease in SIDS deaths in the United States is mostly attributed to a campaign to have babies sleep on their backs; as any parent knows, this is not always so simple. The medical community has not been able to offer a definitive explanation as to why this sleeping position decreases the odds of a child being stricken by SIDS, but it has brought the numbers down. The country of New Zealand claims that they know why, and say their solution explains the partial success of America’s approach.
In 1994 they began a nationwide campaign to “wrap mattresses” being used by infants. The theory offered is that fire retardant chemicals in the mattress, when coming into contact with fungus that might begin to grow on the inside, creates a low lying toxic gas. The infant who sleeps on his/her stomach would then be breathing it in. They claim that by having the child sleeping face up raises their nose and mouth enough to escape breathing in large quantities of the toxic gas. This theory is also used to explain why the risk of crib death rises with additional children who most likely are using an older mattress.
The original theory was offered by UK Scientist Barry Richardson and promoted in New Zealand by Dr. Jim Sprott who continues to promote mattress wrapping. The study supporting mattress wrapping was brought into doubt when another UK report claimed there was no connection between potential gases emanating from the mattresses and SIDS. The authors of the contradicting report claimed in 1998 that SIDS deaths had occurred on wrapped mattresses; in 2000 they were forced to concede that they could not substantiate their claim with regards to the deaths. The recent study indicating that improved airflow significantly reduces the potential for SIDS appears to bolster the case from New Zealand with regards to low-lying toxic gases.
Mattress covers are sold in many countries and over the internet, but they are no different than any of the heavy plastic rolls available in hardware stores. The only specific instruction offered is that when wrapping and duct taping the mattress, the bottom side must be mostly exposed so that the mattress is not entirely sealed.