9/22/03 - Yazbak -SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME IN VAERS: A REVIEW

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from 2003 but still relevant

http://www.vran.org/vaccines/sids/sids-yazbak.htm

SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME IN VAERS: A REVIEW

F. Yazbak, MD, FAAP

TL Autism Research

Falmouth, Massachusetts

E-mail: TLAutStudy@...

SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is, by definition, the sudden and

unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant, whose death remains

unexplained after the performance of an adequate postmortem

investigation. This includes (1) an autopsy, (2) investigation of the

scene and circumstances of the death and (3) exploration of the

medical history of the infant and family. SIDS (ICD 9 Code7980) was

defined as a syndrome in 1969. It is also known as crib death or cot death.

Earlier, the syndrome was called SIDUO, Sudden Infant Death of

Unknown Origin, to indicate that the infant's demise was sudden and

unexplained. An infant who is found unconscious, is revived and

hospitalized and later expires, should not be listed as SIDS; he was

not dead when he was found. Similarly, a diagnosis of SIDS is

inappropriate if the patient is found to have cerebral edema,

hemorrhages, pneumonia, liver involvement or if he or she had fever,

convulsions, vomiting or diarrhea before expiring Lastly, the infant

must have been healthy and the death unexpected to fulfill the

criteria. An infant with a multitude of health problems, who is

exposed to extreme cold or is given a medication known to affect

heart rate or rhythm and dies, should not be listed as a case of SIDS.

SIDS was infrequent before 1950. Its incidence in the United States

rose to some 8,000 cases a year and is apparently lower now. The

decrease has been attributed to the recommendation that babies be

placed on their backs to sleep.

There have been numerous theories of crib death over the years.

Extensive research is still on going. Several theories and causes,

other than sleep position, have been proposed.

The following is a partial listing:

see webpage for much info and charts