Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
SIDS is defined as the death of a child less than one year of age which remains unexplained following a thorough case analysis.
The case analysis includes:
- Complete autopsy
- Examination of the death scene
- Review of clinical history
In many cases, sleep apnea accompanies SIDS and thus is suspected to have played a causal role.
The case analysis includes:
- Complete autopsy
- Examination of the death scene
- Review of clinical history
In many cases, sleep apnea accompanies SIDS and thus is suspected to have played a causal role.
Infant Apnea
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing during sleep.
There are three forms of sleep apnea:
1. Central sleep apnea: a problem in the neurological pathways of the brain that control
respiration causes the infant to stop breathing. Constitutes 0.4% of all cases.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea: a physical blockage of the airway results in the loss of respiratory
function. Constitutes 84% of all cases.
3. Mixed sleep apnea: a combination of the two conditions above causes failure of the
respiratory system. Constitutes 15% of all cases.
There are three forms of sleep apnea:
1. Central sleep apnea: a problem in the neurological pathways of the brain that control
respiration causes the infant to stop breathing. Constitutes 0.4% of all cases.
2. Obstructive sleep apnea: a physical blockage of the airway results in the loss of respiratory
function. Constitutes 84% of all cases.
3. Mixed sleep apnea: a combination of the two conditions above causes failure of the
respiratory system. Constitutes 15% of all cases.