A recent study published in the JAMA Open Network suggests a correlation between the rise in sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUID) and an unusual surge of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in 2021
. SUID encompasses infant deaths in children under one year old from unknown causes, accidental suffocation, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The CDC reports that approximately 3,700 infants died from SUID in 2022, with 41% attributed to SIDS.
“This is an important topic because SIDS and other unexpected deaths are still one of the leading causes of infant mortality, and there’s still a lot unknown,” Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist and chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital and an ABC News contributor said in a recent interview with ABC News.
Researchers analyzed over 14,000 SUID cases from CDC records, revealing a 10% increase in rates per 100,000 live births from 2019 to 2021. Notably, the highest SUID rates were recorded from June to December 2021, coinciding with an off-season rise in RSV hospitalizations.
“The findings underscore the importance of monitoring infant mortality during and after pandemics and obviously it puts big support for vaccinations and RSV prevention,” Brownstein said.
New RSV vaccines are now available, with recommendations for pregnant women to receive an RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to confer antibody protection to their newborns.
Additionally, the CDC advises an RSV antibody shot called nirsevimab for infants under eight months, unless their mothers were vaccinated shortly before birth.
Per the CDC, below are RSV symptoms that parents should be on the look out for in their children. In infants, symptoms may include:
- Irritability
- Decreased activity
- Eating or drinking less
- Apnea (pauses in breathing for more than 10 seconds)
- Many infants will not have a fever with RSV infection.
In young children, symptoms may also include:
- Runny nose
- Eating or drinking less
- Cough, which may progress to wheezing or difficulty breathing
Finally, safe sleep practices are crucial for preventing SUID. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that infants should sleep alone on their backs on a firm surface, ensuring a safe sleeping environment.
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