Rates of sudden unexpected infant death in the United States have increased by nearly 12 percent from 2020 to 2022 according to a new study published in JAMA Pediatrics. While overall infant mortality rates have dropped by 24 percent since 1999, the study found that Black, Native American, and Pacific Islander babies are still disproportionately affected by sleep-related deaths compared to white and Asian infants.
Dr. Elizabeth Wolf, an associate professor of pediatrics, expressed concerns about the alarming findings, highlighting the devastating impact of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). The study looked at rates of SUID, a broad term that includes all deaths in the sleep environment, including accidental suffocation and other causes.
The increase in sleep-related infant deaths has been attributed to factors such as Covid-19, respiratory illnesses, maternal opioid use, and unsafe sleep practices promoted on social media. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends safe sleep practices, including placing babies on their backs in a crib with no loose bedding, toys, or bumpers.
Experts emphasize the importance of spreading awareness about safe sleep practices and the challenges families face in ensuring infants’ safety. Alicia McHatton, a clinical nurse, recommends checking a federal database for safe baby products. Gail Bagwell, a doctor of nursing practice, underscores the need for caregivers to practice safe sleep habits consistently, both at home and when outside the home.
The study underscores the need for ongoing education and advocacy to reduce sleep-related infant deaths and protect the most vulnerable members of society. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to follow safe sleep guidelines and seek information from reliable sources to ensure infants are kept safe during sleep and throughout the day.
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