HEALTH: SIDS Is Still a Mystery

Headlines for a healthier you

By Daphne Lee, News Editor

No, We Still Don't Know the Cause of SIDS

New parents may have heard of the scary Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which causes around 1,250 unexplained infant deaths each year in the U.S. alone. A recent study found an enzyme that could potentially indicate the risk of SIDS. Although some news outlets quickly celebrated the findings as a "breakthrough discovery," the study was only a first step toward understanding the syndrome.

Know More

Researchers found that SIDS infants had lower levels of butyrylcholinesterase, an enzyme that helps regulate brain functions like attention and sleep. But the study was too small, and the results would need to be replicated in a more extensive study.

Feel Better

While research on SIDS is ongoing, safe sleep practices have helped reduce deaths from SIDS significantly. These include laying the baby on their back to sleep, using a firm mattress, and removing clutter from the crib.

What Else You Should Know

Should You Worry About Monkeypox?

A few monkeypox cases have been reported in the U.S. It's a viral disease that typically lasts two to four weeks, and it can cause fever, swollen glands, and a painful, blistering rash Authorities have reported no deaths so far. It's important to note that Monkeypox isn't a sexually transmitted disease—it's spread through close contact and respiratory droplets.

Kids 5-11 Can Now Get a Pfizer Booster

The CDC now recommends Pfizer's COVID-19 booster shot for children ages 5 to 11 who have received their initial vaccine series five months prior. Currently, only about 30% of children in this age group are fully vaccinated.