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BABY 411 NEWS UPDATE: October 2005
The free eNewsletter for the readers of BABY 411
http://www.Baby411.com
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Release Date: October 10, 2005

1. New SIDS prevention recommendations
2. Flu vaccine is here

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Greetings from Washington DC! We are at the national convention for the American Academy of Pediatrics---here is the latest breaking news on babies!

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1. New SIDS prevention recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS Task Force released updated recommendations today to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In 1992, their “Back To Sleep” Campaign encouraged babies to sleep on their backs to prevent SIDS. Since then, there have been 40% fewer cases of SIDS in the U.S. But SIDS still happens.

While some of you may find these recommendations controversial, they are evidence-based after reviewing the latest research. Also know that 20% of all SIDS deaths occur when the baby is in the care of a non-parent. Bottom line: Give caregivers clear instructions about safe sleep.

Here’s what the AAP recommends:

• Co-Sleeping: NO. Babies who sleep with parents and or siblings are at higher risk of SIDS. The reasons? Smothering from family members, soft bedding, entrapment between bed frame and mattress. The AAP suggests that infants sleep in “close proximity” to their parents’ bed in a crib, bassinet, or cradle while they are at highest risk of SIDS (first six months of life). Co-sleeper devices are not advised because there is not enough safety data. If you are nursing your baby in bed, they suggest moving the baby back to his crib afterwards.

• Side sleeping: NO. Studies show that side sleeping may enable a baby to roll over onto his stomach. And infants who end up sleeping on their tummies who are not used to it have an 18 fold higher risk of SIDS!

• Sleeping in parents’ room: YES. The SIDS risk is lower. We don’t know why though. The greatest risk of SIDS is in the first six months of life.

• Pacifiers: YES. Infants who use pacifiers have a lower risk of SIDS. Again, we don’t know why. The task force thoughtfully addressed concerns of breastfeeding, tooth development, and ear infections with pacifier use. Research shows that pacifiers do not shorten breastfeeding duration if introduced after breastfeeding is well established (about one month of age). Dental concerns are not an issue if pacifier use is discontinued before permanent teeth erupt. And, while pacifiers do increase the risk of ear infections, ear infections are rare in babies when the risk of SIDS is highest (under six months old). Bottom line: Use pacifiers at the time of sleep starting at one month of life for breastfed babies. If the pacifier falls out once the baby is asleep, it does not have to be reinserted. Stop using pacifier once the greatest risk of SIDS is over (again, after six months of age).

• Home monitoring devices: NO. The breathing motion detector devices or ‘apnea’ monitors don’t prevent SIDS, unless a baby has had a worrisome event (turning blue, trouble breathing, limp and lifeless).

• Tummy time: YES. The AAP recommends having infants spend time on their tummies during wakeful hours to prevent flat head shape.

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2. Flu Vaccine is here

Flu season is just around the corner. Medical providers are starting to receive their flu vaccine supply. But given the perpetual problems with vaccine supply and distribution, the Centers for Disease Control has made the following recommendations:

Until October 24, 2005, only patients in high risk groups should receive the flu shot. After October 24th, anyone over six months of age may receive a flu shot.

Here’s who is high risk:
• people aged >65 years
• people aged 2—64 with chronic medical problems
• kids aged 6—23 months old
• household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of infants under 6 months old
• all pregnant women
• healthcare personnel who have direct patient contact

Flumist, a nasal spray vaccine, is approved for use in healthy, non-pregnant people from age 5—49 years. There is no prioritization for the Flumist vaccine supply.

Yes, some brands of flu vaccine contain trace amounts of the preservative thimerosal (mercury). The product called “Fluzone” is thimerosal preservative free and is FDA approved for children aged 6—35 months. If that product is not available through your medical provider, don’t sweat it too much. The amount of mercury in a tuna fish sandwich is about five times more than what is in the flu vaccine.

Also, kids under 9 years of age who have never received flu vaccine need to get two doses, given one month apart to be better protected.

For more info, go to www.cdc.gov/flu.



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That's the news, live from the AAP conference in Washington DC!

Best wishes,

Ari Brown M.D. & Denise Fields
authors, BABY 411
http://www.baby411.com