EARLY SCREENING OF INFANTS FOR HIGHER RISK OF THE SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

Abstract

Infants at higher risk of the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) can be successfully detected and protected during the first year of life. From March 1977 to February 1988, 150 infants have been investigated for high risk of SIDS. There were 30 Near Miss infants, all successfully ressuscitated (Group I),35 siblings of SIDS victims (3 twins) (Group II),and 85 infants referred after an episode of pallor or cyanosis related to sleep (Group III).All were subjected to a mean of 2 night polygraphic recording of sleep stages,respiratory and heart rates as well as PtcO2.The infants from Groups I and III were also studied for a recognizable cause of the initial incident. 32 infants were considered at higher risk:every Near Miss (after exclusion of recognizable causes),one infant from Group II (abnormal polygraphic recording) ,and one from Group III(exclusion of recognizable causes and abnormal polygraphic recording). They were sent home with a cardiorespiratory monitoring.They all required stimulation by the parents for apnea or bradycardia,but there was no death.Among the 118 infants not considered at higher risk, none presented any incident.All 150 infants are well by now. Departement de Pediatrie. Hopital Universitaire Saint-Pierre. Rue Haute, 322. 1000 - Bruxelles. Belgium.