As I read the topic for this weeks blog, I immediately thought to important research that has been/is being done regarding SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). SIDS is really interesting and very, very scary because so little is known about the causes of SIDS, and yet researchers have been able to pinpoint a number of risk factors like smoking, co-sleeping, and loose bedding that increase the likelihood of an infant to die from SIDS (Healthychildren.org, 2015). Such interventions have already saved countless lives of otherwise healthy infants that could have fallen victim to SIDS. Through the efforts of researchers collecting demographic and lifestyle data from families across the nation, researchers are beginning to understand a little bit more about this devastating occurrence.
One of the things I find really interesting is the introduction of new home monitoring devices like the Owlet ankle monitor that are being marketed as a way for parents to have piece of mind as their children sleep. As I began this assignment today, I was hoping to be able to find current research supporting the idea that these home monitoring devices have been able to save infant lives from SIDS. The website and marketing videos for the Owlet and other products like it are full of testimonials from parents who say the device alerted them to an infant who would otherwise have died, but interestingly, it appears that the research has not yet corroborated the companies touting the success of these devices (Sifferlin, 2014). In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that these devices might even increase the incidence of SIDS (Healthychildren.org, 2015). I look forward to the opportunity as a young mom to continue to follow this research and research being done on SIDS.
Amy Thompson
Healthychildren.org (2015). American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/PreventingSIDS.aspx?gclid=Cj0KEQiA5oy1BRDQh6Wd572hsfkBEiQAfdTPCggwbMqABIIDYrIXN0TwBy96E_F0Yr7hcFPwHvj6Q7EaAlIw8P8HAQ
Sifferlin, A (2014). Time Magazine. Retrieved from http://time.com/3593482/sids-baby-monitors/.
Your son is adorable!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, we need to find a cure for SIDS. I heard from our local SIDS trainer that there are some current findings that show links to an abnormality in the brain stem. Sadly, right now they can only check for that after a baby has passed. Fingers cross one day it is something that can be tested for at birth and measures can then be taken to prevent death from occurring.