Neurodevelopmental characteristics of subsequent siblings of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome infants

M.A. (Psychology)Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the most prevalent cause of death in infants between one and twelve months of age. Most deaths attributed to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occur between 1 and 4 months of age. There is a marked decrease after this age in the number of deaths classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is usually defined as the sudden death of any infant usually during sleep which is unexpected by history and in which a thorough postmortem examination tails to demonstrate an adequate cause tor death (Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, 1989) • Epidemiologic, pathologic and physiologic data suggest the mechanism ot Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is complex, characterized by interaction at many levels ot the neural axis, between the organism and the environment and spanning both pre- and post-natal lite. Observations suggest that the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome infant has experienced adverse influences prenatally Which may make him peculiarly vulnerable to postnatal environmental stress (Valdes Dapena, 1988). However, the specific nature and cause of this condition continues to elude both scientists and practitioners. In the last few years research has shed some light on various epidemiologic aspects of the problem, on pathologic anatomy and on clinical issues such as the relative importance of spontaneous, prolonged, idiopathic apnea. Some Sudden Infant Death Syndrome victims showed evidence of neonatal brain dysfunction, including abnormalities in respiration, feeding and temperature regulation and have been shown to have pathologic abnormalities consistent with chronic hypoxia (Kelly' Shannon, 1982). Once again, however, the research appears not to be conclusive, leaving many unanswered questions..