National SIDS Council of Australia (SIDS and Kids) Research Support

SIDS and Kids has been funding research nationally since 1988. In this period millions of dollars has been devoted to researching the possible causes of unexplained infant death, SIDS and the methodology of prevention of SIDS.

Projects have covered the broad scope of epidemiology, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, sociology, histology, physiology and pathology.

SIDS and Kids supports a wide range of research into mortality in infants (two years and under) who die suddenly and unexpectedly from stillbirth, neonatal death, sudden infant death and SIDS.

The aim is to promote and assist Scientific and Medical Research related to the possible causes, effects and/or prevention of infant death.

The research work may be concerned with basic sciences, clinical investigations or any respect of psychological, sociological or educational research which may be relevant.

SIDS and Kids will support research, which is aimed at reducing mortality in infants from 20 weeks gestation to two years of age.

RESEARCH FOCUS

In the past few years SIDS and Kids has been directing its resources to its SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Education program. This evidence based health promotion program has saved the lives of over 5,000 Australian babies.

In November 2002 the National SIDS Council Board agreed that there would be a particular research focus in the area of unexplained stillbirth between 32 and 43 weeks gestation. SIDS and Kids currently fund a research project "Transplacental transmission of viruses and pathogenesis of stillbirth, preterm births and congenital abnormalities". 

REPORT ON THE SIDS and Kids PATHOLOGY WORKSHOP

Adoption of a National Consensus for the Definition of SIDS and Autopsy Approach to Unexpected Infant Death.

On 22 and 23 March 2004, SIDS and Kids hosted the first Australian Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Pathology Workshop in Canberra. At this Workshop paediatric and forensic pathologists from each state and territory came together for the first time to discuss problems and issues related to diagnosis and forensic management of sudden infant death in Australia.

The Workshop had ambitious goals:

• To reach a national consensus about the definition for SIDS and;
• To discuss the development of a nationally accepted SIDS autopsy protocol.

The meeting, in fact, far exceeded these goals. Extensive progress was also made towards the development of an agreed Australian SIDS Autopsy Protocol.

For the full report click here

MORE INFORMATION ON SIDS and Kids RESEARCH FUNDING

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Foundation Inc (SA)

The Sudden Infant Death Research Foundation (SIDRF) call for applications for research support (which might include granting of Research Fellowships) in the field of sudden death in infancy twice a year in February and August.

Applicants need to consider certain points before submitting a request.

• animal studies will not be considered
• if sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the focus of the proposal, it must abide by the 1993 NICHD definition of SIDS

Furthermore, any hypothesis on SIDS must take account of the success of the “Back to Sleep” Campaign.

Nevertheless:

• In our community as a whole, a few infants still die unexpectedly. Research is needed into the true incidence of prone sleeping/co-sleeping/how some infants who cannot cope with prone position can be identified/etc.
• Various cultures and social groups within the community have differing death rates in infancy. Intellectually rigorous investigations into cultural, environmental and/or child rearing practice might elucidate that observation.

SIDRF will be adopts a two stage selection process for awarding research funding. Stage one requires applicants to submit a short one or two page outline of their intended proposal including hypothesis, methodology, outcome measures, availability of resource material, statistical procedures and estimate of yearly funding.

Submissions of outlines close on 20th of February and August each year. Applications will be reviewed and a short list of applicants prepared. In April and October those short listed will be invited to submit a detailed proposal.

Further inquiries to:

Ms Maxine Weber
Secretary
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Foundation Inc
Unit 1, 107 Hampstead Road
MANNINGHAM SA 5086
maxineweber@sidsandkids.org