Abstract â–¡ 23

The high level of knowledge of pediatricians in SIDS is very important for qualitative carrying out of the preventive measures concerning of SIDS.

The purpose of investigation was to determine the knowledge level of pediatricians in problems concerning SIDS and methods of its prevention.

For more precise definition of pediatrician's training for SIDS we have worked out a special questionnaire. 69 specialists (12 first care children doctors, 38 doctors of children departments 7 children surgeons and 12 children reanimatologists) were asked to fill these forms. Among the questioned doctors the term "Sudden infant death syndrome" (SIDS) was known to 45 (65.28%) doctors.

The indication on aetiological factors in syndrome development were fixed only in 16 (23.2 %) questionnaires. Among reason-significant factors most of the doctors have picked out thymomegalia (50%). Perinatal pathology and cardiac rhytm disturbances were distinguished less often (at 25% each).

Reasons of death in SIDS were known by 11 (15.94%) doctors. Among presented reasons apnoe was considered to be very important for 6 (54.5%) pediatricians, cardiac arrest and suprarenal failure - for 27.3% and 27.3% of cases.

The questioned doctors considered that in children the highest risk of SIDS arised in ages of 1 month (7.25%), 2-3 months (15.94%), 4-6 months (7.25%), 7-9 months (8.7%), 10-12 months (1.45%). The rest of doctors have not known how to answer on this question or were troubled about right answer.

The majority of questioned doctors had an opinion that in most of cases SIDS developed in the night (60.87%), less frequently - early in the morning (7.25%), in the evening (2.9%) and in the afternoon (1.45%).

Examining the pediatricians about their knowledge of preventive methods of SIDS we have found negative answer in about half of questionnaires (46.38%). Only 13 (18.84%) doctors have noted about possibility of sudden infant death prevention. Among preventive methods they have shown the preference to hardiness (61.54%) and the use of antiarhytmic drugs in cases of cardiac rhytm disturbances (15.38%). 40 (57.97%) doctors considered that packing up the child on the back during sleeping did not have any influence on the risk of sudden death development. At the same time some of the doctors considered that this method prevented the development of SIDS only in 7.25% of cases.

Thus, the present data demonstrate lack of information in wide pediatric circles about SIDS problems, its main points and methods of its prevention in infants. It is necessary to widen the education basis for multilateral discussion and study SIDS problems among pediatricians.