Informácie od odborníkov
Information from experts
8 January 2026
Basic information about SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is every parent’s nightmare. It occurs unexpectedly, without any symptoms or warning signs. It affects babies between 2 and 4 months of age, and its cause remains unknown to this day.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, known as SIDS, is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby during sleep in the crib. Although this diagnosis is rare in Slovakia, with an incidence falling below 0.2‰, it is still essential to remain extremely vigilant. SIDS is, in fact, a race against time, where every second can be crucial.
“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of a baby during sleep that cannot be explained by a post-mortem examination. It is often preceded by a life-threatening event called ALTE (Apparent Life-Threatening Event), during which it is still possible to help the baby. In this state, the baby may appear pale, sometimes even cyanotic, may stop breathing, and can exhibit floating eyeballs and weak muscle tone, which makes the child resemble a rag doll,” says pediatrician Dr. Monika Michňová.
Why apnea monitors are important
Dr. Adriana Uhríková, Physician – Specialist
Pediatric department
Penta Hospitals Galanta
Apnea monitors play an extremely important role in the care of children. According to her, they quite literally help save infants’ lives in practice. They are closely linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which most parents have at least heard of.
Their importance, however, does not lie solely in monitoring high-risk groups, such as prematurely born infants. Dr. Uhríková emphasizes that apnea monitors are also justified for use at home, even for completely healthy children. They are not an unnecessary source of fear for parents, as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome can occur even in babies without any known risk factors.
Parents are not able to monitor their child continuously every second. This is precisely where an apnea monitor plays a crucial role – it continuously tracks even the slightest movements of the baby and can detect a breathing pause that a parent might not notice with the naked eye.
The physician also shares her personal experience from the perspective of a mother. Even though she had a healthy baby, she decided to use an apnea monitor. In one case, the device did trigger a false alarm, but as first-time parents, she and her partner realized how important peace of mind and the ability to react immediately truly are.
In conclusion, Dr. Adriana Uhríková clearly recommends the use of apnea monitors even for healthy newborns, as their benefits in prevention and early detection of problems are undeniable.
Proper use of a breathing monitor and procedures in case of an alarm
Bc. Denisa Cichá
Neonatology department
Penta Hospitals Humenné
Bc. Denisa Cichá focuses on safe infant sleep when using a breathing monitor. She explains that a breathing monitor consists of a sensor pad placed under the mattress and a signaling unit with visual and audible alerts. She emphasizes the importance of positioning the baby correctly so that the entire body lies on the sensor pad, which helps prevent false alarms.
She emphasizes that the signaling unit must always be switched on after placing the baby in the crib and that its functionality should be checked via the green indicator light. If the baby is positioned incorrectly or if the batteries are depleted, the device may signal with a red light.
In the video, she also describes the course of the alarm in the event of a breathing disturbance—from a flashing red light and gradual audible warning to a loud alarm. In such a case, it is necessary to check the baby’s facial color and breathing. If the baby is not breathing, it is essential to immediately begin resuscitation.
You can find more practical information and the exact procedure in the video.
Practical experiences: when a breathing monitor saved a life
Dr. Edit Rajzák, Chief Physician
Pediatric department
Penta Hospitals Dunajská Streda
Dr. Edit Rajzák talks about her long-standing collaboration with the Crossroads Foundation.
She describes real-life cases in which the apnea monitor signaled a problem in time, allowing mothers to respond and have their children brought to the hospital, where they could receive medical assistance. She also recalls tragic experiences from the period before breathing monitors were available, when sudden infant deaths occurred at home.
She states that today, for children in high-risk groups or for babies with complications during pregnancy or after birth, apnea monitors are preferred and offered. She specifically mentions the Babysense apnea monitor, which she considers beneficial.
In conclusion, she expresses her gratitude to the Crossroads Foundation for their collaboration and her hope that it will continue in the future to support the protection of children’s lives.
Breathing monitors as “guardian angels” for newborns
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darina Chovancová, Head of Department
M. Rusnák Neonatal Clinic, Slovak Medical University and University Hospital Bratislava
St. Cyril and Methodius Hospital, Bratislava
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darina Chovancová, CSc., in the interview expresses her gratitude for the breathing monitors, which are welcomed in neonatal departments. She emphasizes that the first moments after birth, when the baby cries and begins to breathe, are very important not only for the parents but also for healthcare professionals.
She points out that the first days and weeks can be associated with complications, during which breathing disturbances can be life-threatening. According to her, breathing monitors act as “guardian angels” because they allow caregivers to monitor whether the baby is breathing and immediately signal a problem if breathing stops. This enables healthcare professionals to intervene promptly and protect the child from oxygen deprivation, which is critical for brain development.
Signál pre rodiča pri zastavení dychu
Dr. Veronika Cipková, physician
Neonatology department
University hospital Nitra
Dr. Veronika Cipková explains that the breathing monitor’s alarm is not meant to frighten parents but serves as a warning of a potential problem. She points out that the monitor tracks the baby’s breathing and immediately triggers an alarm if breathing stops, allowing parents to respond quickly.
She emphasizes that when the alarm goes off, it is necessary to check the baby’s facial color and chest movement. If the baby is pink and breathing, it is a false alarm. If the baby is not pink and not breathing, resuscitation must be started immediately.
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