Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
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Suffocation Deaths, Prevention of
Description
Most infant suffocations occur when babies are placed face
down on a soft surface that they sink into. Infants who are
0 to 4 months old have the greatest risk of suffocating.
These young infants don't have enough strength to lift their
heads and turn their faces so that they can breathe. Many
of these deaths occur when a baby naps at the home of a
friend who doesn't have a crib.
Another cause of suffocation in young infants should be
mentioned. Small babies have been smothered by mothers who
inadvertently fell asleep on top of them. If you nurse your
baby in your bed at night, be careful. Try to keep your
baby in a crib next to your bed.
Suffocation deaths account for some crib deaths (sudden
infant death syndrome, or SIDS). Despite extensive
research, the cause of other crib deaths remains unknown.
True SIDS can't be predicted or prevented. There is one
exception: smoking in the house greatly increases the risk
of SIDS and should be avoided.
Prevention of Suffocation in Infants
To be safe, place your young baby on his back in a crib with
a firm mattress. As of 1992, this is the sleep position
recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics for
healthy infants during the first 6 months of life. Sleeping
on the side is an acceptable alternative, but the back is
safer.
Soft surfaces are unsafe for babies even if they are placed
on their backs. (Reason: Someone, such as another child,
might turn them over.)
You can prevent these tragic deaths by suffocation by never
putting young infants on the following soft surfaces:
- waterbeds
- sheepskin rugs or mattress covers
- soft pillows, such as bean-bag or bead-filled pillows
- any weak, spongy surfaces, including soft mattresses and
comforters
- mattresses covered with plastic bags.
Prevention of Suffocation in Toddlers
Older infants and toddlers can be suffocated by plastic bags
or sheets of plastic. These accidents usually occur when
they pull the plastic over their heads or crawl into plastic
bags. Carefully dispose of any plastic bags, or keep them
away from children less than 3 years old. Examples of such
products are:
- plastic dry-cleaning bags
- plastic shopping bags
- plastic trash bags.
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