Parents smokers and drinkers, higher risk of sudden death

Although the causes of sudden infant death remain a mystery, a recent research developed by the team of Peter S. Blair, of the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, shows its linkage with some practices recommended by parents.

The risk lies in other practices

To reach this conclusion, this study compared the sudden deaths of 400 children with 1,336 children belonging to a control group, live babies that were analyzed in relation to the way of sleeping and the behavior of their parents. According to these data, the highest risk of sudden infant death occurred in cases where They had slept with their parents on a sofa or when these had consumed alcohol or tobacco before sharing bed with your children.


In cases where the parents had not drunk alcohol or consumed tobacco, the chances of sudden death in infants were the same when the babies slept alone in their cribs. The data are only applicable to children under three months since in cases below these ages, the risk increased when sharing a bed with his parents.

The danger of sleeping on the sofa

According to this study, a father or a mother share sleep with your son on the couch 18.3% increase the chances of this suffering sudden death. That's because having less space It is more likely that the child is caught in a dangerous position for him. A study conducted by the Children's Mercy Hospital of Kansas City found that at least 12% of the cases of sudden death analyzed had occurred in one of these seats.


The researchers of this work also affirmed that in 90% of the cases of Sudden death of infants produced on the couchThere was an adult sleeping next to him. A fact that indicates the danger of co-sleeping in this very narrow space. And is that the presence of parents during sleep increases the risk of suffocation.

Safety techniques for the baby's sleep

In the event that parents opt for sleep with their children In this environment, several security measures must be taken into account:

- No cushions or stuffed animals as they increase the risk of suffocation.

- The best position for the baby is to sleep on his back with his head turned to the side.

- It is recommended use sheets instead of blankets or quilts.

- Never cover the baby's head with something that could hinder breathing.


- Control the room temperature. Avoid both excess heat and cold.

- Prohibited tobacco in the same room where you are going to sleep and in its surroundings.

- Avoid sharing a bed if one of the parents is taking medication.

Damián Montero

Video: Smoking Causes Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema


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