home monitor

  : I am looking for complete information about home monitring system for apnea
  : and SIDS . I would like to know how many of those are on the market,
  : their characteristics and be able to compare. Any comments about their
  : reliabity  are welcome.
  : Father of 2 young children ( one of 2 month) , I had in my family an infant
  :  who died of SIDS (apparently).I would really appreciate if somebody could
  : help me in my search.
  : Thanks
  : Chris
  Try these places
  http://www.southern-medical-equip.com/infant.htm
  http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~fabrikan/chime/chime.html
  http://www.incubators.org.il/21017.htm
  http://www.cantron.co.za/apnea.html
  http://www.marquette-hellige.com/products/511.info.html

[HFHS.RN-AM]

Thanks to whoever wrote in about the sources. You could also try "apnea monitors" and search the web. I have never seen any literature comparing monitors. There are no SIDS monitors per se; what apnea monitors do is monitor the childs heart rate and respiratory rate to detect apneic episodes - usually defined as cessation of respirations for >20 sec.  Monitors are only as good as the people who use them - that means that they need to be used any time the infant is not being observed - like when you are cooking, driving in the car, etc., and not just for sleeping. Remember, the single best thing you can do to prevent SIDS is put your child to sleep on it's back - it won't spit up and choke!   I think this is a concern for all new parents, but you should discuss with your pediatrician  your child's risk for SIDS. Insurance will pay only if there is a medical indication.
HFHS.RN-AM
*KEYWORD: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, SIDS, Apnea, medical equiptment