INFANT SAFETY

SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH (SUID)

• Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) describes the sudden and unexpected death of an infant less than one year old.
• For many years the cause of SUID was unknown.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an investigation.
• There finding concluded that the deaths of infants birth to one happen during sleep or an infant's sleep area.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• But there is still no clear understanding of the cause or circumstances surrounding the death of infants.
• It is estimated that about 3,500 infants in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year.
• In 2016 alone there has been a reported 3,600 sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID), in the United States.
• There was no immediate obvious cause of death in these infants less than one year old.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• The three most commonly reported types of SUID are the following:
• SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome)
• Unknown causes and
• Accidental suffocation and strangulation while in bed.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• In 2016, statistics showed there were 1,500 infant deaths due SIDS.
• 1,200 deaths due to unknown causes.
• In addition there were 900 infant deaths due to accidental suffocation and strangulation while in bed.
• These numbers are alarming.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• Unknown causes is one of the three commonly causes of SUID is solely based on parents or caregivers not seeing these deaths as they happen.
• This make it very difficult for investigators to get a clear description of the circumstances surrounding the infant's death.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• The National Vital Statistics System provided statics for SUID by Race and Ethnicity in 2012- 2015.
• SUID rates per 100,000 live births was:
• American Indian/ Alaska Native 196.9
• Non-Hispanic black infants 177.3
• Non-Hispanic white infants 84.5
• SUID was the lowest among Hispanics at 51.7 and Asian/Pacific Islanders 32.7

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• Infants death due to SIDS accounted for the largest proportion of SUIDS for all racial and ethnic groups.
• The numbers ranged from 42% of non-Hispanic black infants and 47% of Asian/Pacific/Islanders.
• Accidental suffocation and strangulation made up the smallest proportion of SUIDs for all racial groups.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID) BY RACE/ETHNICITY 2012-2015

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• Although the statics have shown an unimaginable number of infants dying from SUID, these numbers have shown a significant decrease in deaths.
• In 1990, the rate for SUID which included the three most commonly causes of infant death; SIDS, unknown causes, and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed was 154.6 deaths per 100,000 live births.
• These number declined significantly after the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep program in 1992.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• In 1994 a program called Back to Sleep was initiated.
• Back to Sleep was launched to remind parents to place their infants on their backs to sleep, to help reduce the risk for SIDS
• "The Back to Sleep" slogan was easier to remember

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• The Safe to Sleep formerly known as Back to Sleep provides new parent with up to date recommendations on preventing the risk of SIDS
• The new recommendations to prevent SUID are:
• 1. Place baby back to sleep on his or her back.
• 2. Remove all soft bedding from crib.
• 3. Use a firm, tight- fitting mattress and sheet in infants crib

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• 4. Refrain from lying with infant on the couch due to risk of suffocation or being wedged between seat cushions
• 5. Place preterm infants on their back as soon as possible due to the increase risk of SUID occurring with preterm infants.
• 6. Place infant in the same room as parents, but not in the bed, for up to a year.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• 6. Lastly, allow infants to suck on pacifiers while sleeping has unknown protective effects against SUID.
• These new recommendations for SUID, for first time in five years has never been this complete.

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• Meets recommendations for the Safe to Sleep... Why?

INFANT SAFETY (SUID)

• Does not meet recommendations for Safe to Sleep... Why?