News-Record.com

The following is a Counterpoint.
By Kaye Gable and J. Laurence Ransom

We are writing in response to the Dec. 17 article, "Let's spread word on SIDS," by Joy Brightwell.

The sudden or unexpected death of any infant is tragic and devastating to the family. Any medical professional involved with a case of SIDS mourns for and with the family. Unfortunately, the article has significant inaccuracies that will unnecessarily add guilt to the grief these families experience.

Brightwell states, "What has driven me to write this is the lack of information available to patients and virtually all infants are at risk. I was outraged to discover that the hospital did not discuss with parents what we do and don't know about SIDS." She adds, "I made the heartbreaking discovery that there is a monitor that could save lives of these infants, but no one knows about it." The monitor Brightwell refers to is the Babysense V Infant Movement Monitor.

Readers need to know that, despite extensive clinical studies over the last several decades, there is no scientific proof that home monitoring can prevent SIDS. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is the recognized authority on much of what is considered standard of care for infants. This body of physician scientists has published numerous policy statements on SIDS and has made specific reference regarding the role of home monitoring. In the journal "Pediatrics" Vol. 111, No. 4 (April 2003), the explicit statement is made that, "Home cardiorespiratory monitoring should not be prescribed to prevent SIDS." In a more recent policy statement, the Committee on the Fetus and Newborn of the AAP (recommendation No. 9) advises: "Do not use home monitors as a strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS ... there is no evidence that use of such home monitors decreased the incidence of SIDS. Furthermore, there is no evidence that infants at increased risk of SIDS can be identified by in-hospital respiratory or cardiac monitoring."

SIDS remains unexplained and is not preventable. Proven practices that can decrease the risk of SIDS to any given infant do exist. These practices have been part of the Women's Hospital postnatal teaching program for decades. Such practices include using a supine sleep position, a safe sleeping environment, encouragement of breast feeding, and the elimination of prenatal and postnatal exposure to tobacco smoke. In contrast to the lack of scientific data on home monitors, the above-recommended practices do have a scientific basis and have been promoted by the AAP.

Dr. Gable is chief of pediatrics for Moses Cone Health System and medical director, Normal Newborn Nursery, Women's Hospital of Greensboro. Dr. Ransom is medical director of Neonatal Intensive Care, Women's Hospital of Greensboro.