Sudden infant death syndrome history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vamsikrishna Gunnam M.B.B.S [2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

The majority of patients with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are asymptomatic. SIDS condition happens sudden and fast so the infants does not show much of the symptoms. Sudden infant death syndrome is mostly referred to the all unexpected infant deaths.

History and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

• The majority of patients with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are asymptomatic.

History[edit | edit source]

Patients with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may have a positive history of:^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

• Infant who might be put in prone position sleep right after feeding
• Unremarkable checks of the baby during sleep but the infant might be found dead
• Some parents says that their babies “were not themselves” in the hours before death
• Some parents says that the infant may have had diarrhea, vomiting, and fatigue 2 weeks prior to death of the baby
• History of apnea may be present in some infants
• History of swallowing dysfunction may be present in some infants
• A thorough evaluation of child abuse should be considered
• Brain stem anomalies may be detected in some patients
• Genetic mutations
• Cardiac ion channel defects

The following questions should be asked to the parents regarding the child by the physician which includes the following:

• Any trauma to the infant ?
• Any foreign body ingestion by the infant ?
• Any history of apnea? If yes then ask about the time length of apnea in seconds ?
• Incidents that might have happened before the BRUE (Brief Resolved Unexplained Events)
• Any signs of paroxysmal cough ?
• Any signs or symptoms of the upper respiratory tract infection ?
• Any symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after the feeding the child ?
• Time and amount of the last meal of the infant ?
• What was the child’s position when the parents put the child to sleep?
• Any change in the colour of the infant ? If yes ask the parent which colour ? if the parent says blue colour then ask how blue?
• Ask parents if there is any event ? if yes ask them duration of the event ?
• Ask parents about the body tone of the infant ? like is the baby stiff, or shaking ?
• Ask the parents if they have done any CPR after the incident ? if yes ask them how was it done?

Common Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Common symptoms of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) include:

• Brief Resolved Unexplained Events (BRUEs: formerly Apparent Life-Threatening Events) which includes the following:
  • Cyanosis in 50-60% of the patients
  • Breathing difficulties in 50% of the patients
  • Abnormal limb movements in 35% of the patients

Less Common Symptoms[edit | edit source]

Less common symptoms of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prior to death include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Listlessness

References[edit | edit source]

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