The medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of sudden infant death syndrome. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Are there any diseases in your family that are common? Are there any hereditary diseases in your family? Social history What is your profession? Are you … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Medical History
Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99) ALTE (apparently life-threatening event; near-SIDS) – symptom complex associated with respiratory arrest, slowed heartbeat, and pallor of the infant. Sudden unexpected infantdeath syndrome; SUDI – infant death in which a cause of death was identified in the autopsy
The following are the major conditions or complications that may be contributed to by sudden infant death syndrome: Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified (R00-R99). Sudden infant death syndrome in subsequent siblings.
If no definite signs of death are evident, the rescue team begins resuscitation. A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination-including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; further: Inspection (viewing). Skin and mucous membranes [signs of suffocation?, skin color (pale/blue/gray)?] State of consciousness [awake/sleeping/unconscious?] Auscultation (listening) of the … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification. Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein). Fasting glucose (fasting blood sugar) Blood gas analysis (BGA) Liver parameters – alanine aminotransferase (ALT, GPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, GOT), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Test and Diagnosis
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics – for differential diagnostic clarification. Echocardiography (echo; cardiac ultrasound) – for suspected structural heart disease. Abdominal sonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Tests
To prevent sudden infant death syndrome, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Diet Exclusive bottle feeding Consumption of stimulants Alcohol consumption (> 1st trimester/third trimester) + maternal smoking during pregnancy (12-fold increased risk). Smoking of the of parents during pregnancy – already from one cigarette per day is a 2-fold … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Prevention
There are no symptoms before sudden infant death syndrome.
Reanimation (Resuscitation) General Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is required in cases of cardiac and/or respiratory arrest Cardiac resuscitation is performed by cardiac massage, defibrillation (shock generator; treatment method against life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias) and administration of medication Therapy for respiratory arrest includes clearing the airway and artificial respiration to restore gas exchange in the lungs One can distinguish … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Therapy
Pathogenesis (development of disease) The pathogenesis is not yet well understood. Exogenous and endogenous factors are thought to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A no longer fully compensated passive reduced blood flow to the brain stem is discussed. A disturbed serotonin homeostasis in the brain may be the consequence. Serotonin is an important … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Causes
The 1969 international definition refers to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) as the sudden, unexpected death of an infant for which no explanation can be found after a thorough investigation, including autopsy and assessment of circumstances and history (anamnesis) of death. This definition was further subdivided in 2004: SIDS category Description Ia Cases in which … Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Classification
