EENT and Sleep Disorders Q 46

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The nurse teaches the mother of a newborn that in order to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the best position to place the baby after nursing is: Select all that apply.

  

     A. Prone

     B. Side-lying

     C. Supine

     D. Fowler’s

     E. Dorsal recumbent

    

Correct Answers: B and C

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Research demonstrates that the occurrence of SIDS is reduced with these two positions. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the abrupt and unexplained death of an infant less than 1-year old. SIDS frequently occurs during sleep, and it is the leading cause of death in infants one to twelve months of age in the United States.

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Option A: Acknowledging prone sleeping as a means of preventing SIDS has resulted in advocacy that significantly decreased SIDS deaths. The incidence of SIDS has dramatically reduced in countries that advocate for supine sleeping.

Option B: The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that it’s safe to let the baby sleep on their side if they’re able to comfortably roll over on their own. After the age of about 4 months, the baby will be stronger and have better motor skills. This means that they can lift their head to explore and roll themselves over when they are put on their tummy. At this age, it’s safer to let the baby sleep on their side, but only if they end up in that position on their own.

Option C: Medical professionals must be aware of current recommendations for safe sleeping practices and SIDS prevention: do not drink alcohol or use illicit drugs during pregnancy, place the infant on the back to sleep, allow the infant to sleep in his or her own crib in the same room as caregivers, and use a firm and flat surface in a safety-approved crib.

Option D: The incidence of SIDS declined by more than 50 percent in the United States after physicians began to promote “On the back to sleep.” After the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a recommendation for supine sleeping in 1992, the incidence of SIDS decreased.

Option E: From 1992 to 2001, the incidence of SIDS deaths declined from 1.2 to 0.56 deaths per 1000 live births. During the reported period, the percentage of infants sleeping in the supine position increased from 13% to 72%.

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