Introduction
Newborns and children under twelve months old are one of the most vulnerable populations because they cannot satisfy their needs and are dependent on their parents. Infant morbidity and mortality rely on the environment, medical compliance, maternal health, and other factors. Mothers are aware of their children’s health because Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SID) remains unresolved (Lambert et al., 2018). SID is the sudden death from the respiratory arrest of a healthy infant or child under one year of age in which an autopsy cannot determine the cause of death. Health promotion plans with a focus on eliminating risk factors can reduce SID.
The SID Brief Overview
SID is an unexpected child’s death in which the cause of respiratory arrest cannot be determined. In the USA, the syndrome occurs in about 0.5 cases per 1,000 and accounts for about 30% of all deaths before one year (Duncan & Byard, 2018). The incidence peaks between 2 and 4 months of life, and the moment of death comes with the advantage of “sleep.” Risk factors for SID are prematurity, male sex, maternal smoking, drug use, sleeping on the belly and with the parents, heating, and cooling (Lambert et al., 2018). There are many other factors, but these are considered the most common. Researchers also point to biochemical changes (mainly blood serotonin levels), but there is no exact data.
Identifying the Problem with a Hypothetical Example
A specific problem with SID is respiratory arrest, which causes death. Infants may encounter this problem when they have a stuffy nose, low indoor oxygen concentration, or lack access to fresh air (Duncan & Byard, 2018). Parents should arrange cradles to provide adequate ventilation and avoid sudden temperature changes. Moreover, they should pay attention to the child and mother’s health and seek medical help in time, especially if there is asthma or apnea in the family.
To make a plan for improving the infant’s health, a nurse can consider a hypothetical case of a mother seeking counseling. Suppose a young woman gave birth three months ago; the baby was born three weeks prematurely and now experiences frequent breathing problems. The woman goes to the clinic for help, and the nurse uses a survey to identify risk factors. The analysis revealed that the woman had had chickenpox during pregnancy, smoked, and occasionally consumed alcohol, and a breech presentation complicated the delivery. In addition, the woman noted that she is a current smoker, and the baby has difficulty feeding and sometimes cannot grasp the nipple. The characteristics of the child’s bedroom are a cold, poorly ventilated room with a soft crib and pillow. Thus, the child is at risk, as social, medical, and domestic risk factors have been noted.
Addressing the Problem Through the Implementation of Education Programs
The scenario reviewed contains vital facts to look for in identifying SID. It includes a detailed description of the child’s characteristics and external influences. It is appropriate to develop a plan that focuses on educating the mother and minimizing exposure to risk factors to address the hypothetical child’s issues (Duncan & Byard, 2018). The education program should consist of a theoretical component, a practical component, and observation.
The theoretical component of the plan is prepared following the recommendations developed by the WHO and state clinical organizations. At this stage, parents will get information about SID: statistics, signs, risk factors, and tips (Green & Hamilton, 2019). There is a focus on parents’ awareness that they may unintentionally harm. After this step, it is necessary to set goals for the results of the practical part according to the child’s needs. The child needs to breathe calmly and adequately, so the first goal is to ensure room ventilation and access to oxygen around the clock (Lambert et al., 2018). The baby should also be comfortable sleeping, so the second goal is to provide a reasonably firm place and proper swaddling. These goals will change the parent’s behavior to meet the baby’s needs.
The practical implementation consists of eliminating the risk factors for developing SID. In the hypothetical case, there are two goals for the mother: to quit smoking and change the sleeping environment. Both goals aim to remove social factors and promote the health of the child (Lambert et al., 2018). In addition, the mother should meet the pediatrician to address apnea and a detailed differential diagnosis. The mother is expected to quit smoking and change the child’s sleeping environment. This will meet the child’s needs for a comfortable sleep and home.
The observation phase is necessary to determine the actual changes: continuing to smoke, changing the mattress, and heating the room. The nurse can see that the baby’s needs are met: sleep is calmer, the baby is more willing to drink breast milk, and the frequency of apnea has decreased. Changes in the mother’s behavior will contribute to her and the baby’s comfort.
Conclusion
SID is a dangerous and undiagnosed phenomenon characterized by sudden death from respiratory arrest at less than one year of age. Risk factors are related to social conditions (alcoholism, smoking), domestic (unventilated room, uncomfortable crib), and medical (prematurity, apnea). A hypothetical scenario was used to examine a case with an excessive influence of SID risk factors. A health promotion plan was also created with three critical components of learning: theory, practice, and observation. It has been demonstrated that working together with parents and changing their behavior positively impacts the child’s health.
References
Duncan, J. R., & Byard, R. W. (2018). Sudden infant death syndrome: An overview. In J. R. Duncan & R. W. Byard (Eds.), SIDS Sudden infant and early childhood death: The past, the present and the future (pp. 15-50). University of Adelaide Press.
Green, T., & Hamilton, T. G. (2019). Maternal educational attainment and infant mortality in the United States: Does the gradient vary by race/ethnicity and nativity? Demographic Research, 41, 713-752. Web.
Lambert, A. B. E., Parks, S. E. & Shapiro-Mendoza, C. K. (2018). National and state trends in sudden unexpected infant death: 1990–2015. Pediatrics, 141(3). Web.