Temperature may have a lot to do with infant care, a fact that is well known but not taken very seriously. Research shows that overheating may be an important cause of infant death, especially in countries with a cold climate.
The report, published by the American Academy of Paediatrics suggests that the incidence of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) can be reduced considerably if the temperature surroundings of the baby are carefully controlled and monitored. Very hot surroundings may increase the risk of 'crib death'. In colder countries and also in Asia, parents tend to dress their baby in too many warm clothes. This could result in suffocation of the baby, resulting in death. In some countries, where the baby sleeps on adult sized beds, parents tend to put pillows on either side to prevent him form falling over. This may prove dangerous as the child may suffocate himself.
SIDS is the leading cause of death in infants between 1-6 months of age in the West. It is relatively rare in Asia. This could be because of longer and more vigilant care provided to the infant in Asian countries. In some cases, the exact cause for sudden death is not immediately evident. Suffocation is the most commonly cited reason for crib death. The report concluded that thermal stress and suffocation due to the child's faulty breathing process, may together predispose a child to SIDS.
Research on SIDS over the years, has yielded the fact that the incidence is reduced if a child is made to sleep on the back rather than on the stomach, as was recommended earlier. However, this debate is still not conclusively resolved. The best solution of the problem is to monitor the child as closely as possible during infancy. This could not only protect the child from such lethal conditions, but may also help to foster a closer bond between the child and the parents.
Reuters