In Ukraine, in 2018 – 2021, almost 250 deaths of infants under the age of 1 year were recorded from sudden infant death syndrome.
The president of the NGO “Ukrainian Institute of Child Sleep” announced this. Daria Pylypenko at a press conference in Ukrinform.
“The mortality rate of children under 1 year of age has fluctuated between 7-8% over the past 10 years. In 2018, 69 deaths of babies under 1 year of age from sudden infant death syndrome were recorded, in 2019 – 70, 2020 – 42, in 2021 – – 62″, – Pilipenko said.
She noticed that this is influenced by three groups of factors: the vulnerability of the child and the critical period of his development; behavior, habits, genetic factors on the mother’s side, prenatal care, psychological support for parents; sleep conditions.
Obstetrician-gynecologist Svetlana Poplavskaya informed that most often premature infants and babies born with low body weight suffer from sudden infant death syndrome. less than 2.5 kg, children who, during intrauterine development, experienced negative environmental influences, in particular the influence of nicotine.
The cigarette smoke that a woman inhales passes through the placental barrier to the baby in the form of carbon monoxide, but in a much higher concentration. In the bloodstream of the fetus, this carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin, is transported by the bloodstream to all organs and systems, and the child, already in utero, chronically does not receive enough oxygen necessary for the functioning of all organs and systems and the provision of protective mechanisms. ; Poplavskaya explained.
She noted that studies show a 7 times higher risk of sudden infant death for those infants whose mothers smoked more than a pack of cigarettes per day during pregnancy.
According to her, another negative factor that can lead to sudden infant death syndrome is the use of drugs and alcohol.
“For example, cocaine use causes fetal growth retardation. Such babies experience respiratory instability, which is similar to the same instability in premature babies, – noted the specialist.
She noticed that consuming large doses of caffeine can also negatively affect the development of the fetus.
A factor that can lead to sudden infant death syndrome is multiple pregnancy. According to Poplavskaya, it is a multiple pregnancy that already poses a risk of premature birth, prematurity, according to the maturity of the respiratory centers.
The obstetrician-gynecologist emphasized: it is the woman’s responsible attitude towards her pregnancy, timely registration, timely, comprehensive examination, giving up bad habits, and establishing trust with the gynecologist plays a big role in the prevention of sudden infant death. Pediatrician, head of the pediatric department of ADONIS MC in a crib.
«All pediatricians recommend placing the child exclusively on his back, on a hard mattress. The crib must be safe – there should be no foreign objects or broken parts in it, no need to put soft toys, pillows, – noted Volokha.
As Ukrinform reported, fertility rates in Ukraine have been falling by about 7% per year since 2013, and the full-scale Russian invasion has led to an even greater fertility crisis.