One of the main components of the SID Network’s mission is to educate first responders, medical and health related professionals and infant caregivers on sudden infant death. Our goal is to provide these professionals with up to date information on SIDS and other sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), safe sleep and risk reduction, scene investigation, research, home visitation and bereavement.
This site will provide you with information and links to other available resources to ensure that you have the most comprehensive knowledge available on sudden infant death. We also encourage you to review this website’s other pages. Our sections entitled, About SIDS, Risk Reduction, Grief Support and Links will help you gain an understanding of sudden infant death and important measures all professionals can relay to expectant moms regarding safe sleep. Our Grief Support page will help you to understand the devastation and heartbreak that families experience after a sudden infant death and ways to help them survive this tragic loss. If you are interested in professional training by staff from the SID Network of Ohio for public health personnel, first responders or child care providers, please contact us through:
The highlighted areas below will guide you to the information that is most relevant to your profession.
Facts and Figures
This information was taken directly from, Source: Ohio Child Fatality Review, Sixth Annual Report - September 2006.
This report includes reviews of child deaths younger than 18 years which occurred 2004.
SIDS Deaths
Local CFR boards reviewed 115 deaths to children from SIDS in 2004. These deaths represent 7 percent of all 1,623 reviews conducted. There were greater percentages of SIDS deaths among boys (67 percent) and among black infants (43 percent) relative to their representation in the general population (51 percent for boys and 16 percent for black children). Eighty-three percent (96) of the SIDS deaths reviewed occurred before 6 months of age.
The CFR data reporting tool includes items surrounding the death that can lead to better understanding of the circumstances of SIDS deaths. Many of these items are referred to as risk factors, because their presence seems to increase the risk of an infant dying of SIDS, but they are not the cause of SIDS. It is important to analyze these items so policies and interventions can be developed to prevent future deaths.
In spite of diligent efforts, CFR boards were not able to consistently supply information regarding normal infant sleeping position; overheating; heavy bedding; or sleep surface firmness. Information about the location of the infant when found, bed sharing and some birth health history was reported with sufficient frequency for analysis. Thirty-nine percent (45) of SIDS deaths occurred in cribs or bassinets, while 40 percent (46) of SIDS deaths occurred in locations considered unsafe: in adult beds and on couches and chairs. Fifty percent (57) of infants who died of SIDS were known to be sharing a sleep surface with someone else at the time of death.
Thirty-seven percent (43) of the infants who died of SIDS were born with low or very low birth weight. Low birth weight is less than 2,500 grams, and very low birth weight is less than 1,500 grams. Thirty-seven percent (42) of the infants were born before 38 weeks gestation. Thirty percent (34) were born to mothers who had a medical condition during the pregnancy.
Forty-nine percent (56) of the children who died of SIDS were exposed to cigarette smoke, including 36 percent (41) who were exposed in utero.
Safe Sleep
The American Academy of Pediatrics Revises SIDS Risk Reduction Recommendations
“The Changing Concepts of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts,Controversies Regarding the Sleep Environment, and New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk”
October 10, 2005 by John Kattwinkel, MD
Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe
Grandparent Brochure
To download:
National “Back to Sleep” Campaign
Education
Public Health Nurses and Social Workers
Ohio’s public health nurses have a vital role in the early intervention of a sudden and unexpected infant death. The public health professionals who provide early intervention, support, counseling, and comfort to the family after the baby’s death have the fundamental job of assisting them through this life-altering experience.
The Ohio Revised Code 313.121 requires public health departments to offer information, counseling and other supportive services to families immediately following notification of a SIDS death. Although other infant deaths are not specifically detailed in this law, it is hoped that all public health personnel will provide similar services to these bereaved families as well. The Ohio law regarding the reporting of SIDS and the provision of support to families of SIDS victims can be accessed online at:
For many families the home visit is the cornerstone of bereavement support. The public health professionals making the home visit are in a unique position to address the family’s needs and can help alleviate guilt, pain and suffering by providing information in a sensitive manner; explaining autopsy results, providing community resources, and offering guidance for surviving children. Parents who receive home visits report the visits make a positive impact on the grieving process.
To download the newly revised public health nurse manual which provides health professionals with information and resources to assist families after the sudden, unexpected death of a baby, please click on the link below.
A Guide for the Sudden Infant Death Home Visit
(September 2005)
Produced by: SID Network of Ohio
Funded by: SID Network of Ohio & Ohio Dept. of Health, Bureau of Child and Family Health Services
To download:
Infant Death Home Visit Report
Produced by: Ohio Department of Health - Sudden Infant Death Program
To download:
For additional information:
The Ohio Department of Health
First Responders and EMT’s
Dealing with a sudden infant death presents both professional and personal challenges for the first responder. While working to hopefully revive the infant, the EMT may also be faced with consoling the parent or other caregiver, as well as assessing and recording information about the death scene. Moreover, infants—especially seemingly healthy infants—are not supposed to die. It is not surprising that local officials and the community pay much more attention to the death of a baby than incidents involving adult fatalities.
(National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Center & Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources & Services Administration, US Dept. Health & Human Services)
For an overview of the EMT’s role in responding to a sudden and unexpected infant death, click on the publication below:
Sudden, Unexpected Infant Death: Information for the Emergency Medical Technician
Additional resources for first responders follow:
Sudden, Unexplained Infant Death Investigation Reporting Form from the Centers for Disease Control
National SIDS/Infant Death Resource Support Center (NSIDRC)
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians
Child Care Providers and Care Givers
More and more women today are entering the workforce. Because of this, more infants and children are entrusted to child care providers and care givers. The decision of parents to place their child with a particular provider or care giver is a very important one. All parents want their children to be in a safe environment.
Research suggests that 20% of SIDS deaths throughout the country occur in daycare settings (Moon, Patel and Shaefer, 2000). Therefore, all child care providers including grandparents and other care givers need to be informed about safe sleep guidelines and encouraged to adopt and practice them.
The following links will guide you to important information regarding safe sleep in the child care setting.
A Child Care Providers Guide to Safe Sleep
Reducing the Risk of SIDS
Training for Child Care Providers
National “Back to Sleep” Campaign
Healthy Child Care America
American Academy of Pediatrics
To arrange a child care training or to answer questions regarding SIDS/OID in child care, contact Stacy Scott, Community Health & Education Coordinator:
