Protecting Infants from Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: Guidelines for Interventions during the Perinatal Period from the French National College of Midwives

AbstractWith 300 –400 annual deaths in France, sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of mortality in France among infants from the end of their first through their 12th month of life. These clinical practice guidelines aim to identify strategies for (future) parents to prevent avoidable SUIDs . They are based on a narrative literature review and an analysis of the existing reports and guidelines available on the topic in 2019–2020. In summary, it is recommended that parents ensure that their infants sleep on their back on a firm, empty surface in a sufficiently ventilated environment, share the parental bedroom, and be breastfed and vaccinated. All of these actions create protective factors against SUID. Conversely, parents should know that several factors increase the risk of SUID: unsafe sleep, maternal smoking, passive smoking after birth, exposure to alcohol or other psychoac tive substances, and excessive heat.Precis: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death prevention includes infants being breastfed and vaccinated, sleeping on their back, on a firm, empty surface, near parents, and that they are not overheated.
Source: Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health - Category: Midwifery Authors: Tags: Guidelines Source Type: research