Sudden infant death syndrome and subsequent pregnancy

Abstract

In psychological conditions of mourning and guilt, women who have lost children often attempt to quickly conceive a "replacement" child. This study examines the subsequent pregnancies of 32 women whose children died of sudden infant death syndrom (SIDS). The expected rate of infertility in a normal population is 10%. Spontaneous abortion has an incidence of 12% to 15%. Among the 32 women attempting to conceive after the loss of their child, 10 (31%) had spontaneous abortions and 11 (34%) could not conceive after attempts for at least one year. This association between psychological and biological phenomena require special recognition by physicians who are advising parents who have lost children to SIDS. The management of these families includes compassion, understanding, and regard for the psychological environment of the subsequent pregnancy.