The Risk and Protective Factors associated with Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy

The Risk and Protective Factors associated with

Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy

• Blackpool, Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire have a higher infant mortality rate than England

• Not easily identifiable they are often medically inconclusive

• Whilst some deaths are caused by known medical reasons a large number occur where known risk factors are present

• Although risk factors cannot be shown to be the cause they can increase the risk of babies dying

.

Risk Factors

• Alcohol• The taking of medication or drugs which

makes you drowsy (legal or illegal).• Tiredness• Premature babies (born before 37 weeks)• Low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg or 5.5

lbs)

Smoking

A very dangerous risk to take

Never sleep on a sofa or armchair with a baby

Increases the risk by 50 times2 studies have shown an increased % of SIDS related to sofa deaths*

*Fleming abstract from SIDSI conference 2008, p 59.

Room temperature

Protective Factors What can you do?

Where does your baby sleep?

Back to Sleep and Feet to Foot

What should baby sleep in?

Over-heating can increase the risk of your baby dying.

Spot the risks

Six steps to safer sleepThere are six steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of babies dying unexpectedly.

More information around the issues discussed in this presentation can be accessed from the website.

www.lullabytrust.org.uk or

Helpline- 0800 802 6868