Sleep position and sudden infant death syndrome

Article Abstract:

A reduction in the rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may occur if studies of risk factors and public health recommendations are effectively communicated to parents. SIDS is the major cause of infant death after the newborn stage in the US, accounting for 5,000 to 6,000 deaths annually. The physiological causes are not known, but research has shown that environmental factors may be associated with SIDS. A study in Tasmania, Australia found that a decline in the proportion of infants put to sleep in the prone position (stomach-down) correlated with a decrease in SIDS cases. The Tasmanian researchers studied many other factors and concluded that 70% of the decrease in SIDS could be explained by the change in sleep position. Another study suggests a link between SIDS and infant exposure to tobacco smoke, both prenatally and passively after birth. Physicians should counsel parents to avoid smoking around their babies and to put them to sleep on their back or side.

Editorial

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A case-control study of routine and death scene sleep position and sudden infant death syndrome in Southern California

Article Abstract:

The relationship between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep position may vary according to population group. Studies in foreign countries have shown that sleeping in a prone position (stomach-down) is a risk factor for SIDS. A study in Southern California found no higher risk of SIDS associated with sleeping in the prone position. The study reviewed 200 SIDS cases among different racial groups and compared them with 200 similar healthy infants. Researchers interviewed parents about their infants' sleep position, bedding type and objects in bed. Similar numbers of infants in each group slept in a prone position: 66% of SIDS infants and 64% of comparison infants. Pacifier and pillow use were similar among both groups, and more healthy infants than SIDS infants used baby blankets or had toys in their crib. The discrepancy in findings between the California study and foreign studies may be due to social and/or climatic differences.

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The effect of passive smoking and tobacco exposure through breast milk on sudden infant death syndrome

Article Abstract:

Passive smoking may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers compared the smoking habits of 200 mothers of infants who died of SIDS with those of 200 mothers of healthy infants of the same age, race and sex. Smoking habits of fathers and day-care providers were also examined. Infants who died of SIDS were more likely to have been exposed to passive tobacco smoke than healthy infants. In addition, the risk of SIDS increased with greater exposure to passive smoke, as determined by assessing the number of adults who smoked in the same room as the infant. Infants whose mothers smoked during pregnancy were also more likely to die of SIDS. There were no differences noted among the racial groups studied (white, African-American, Hispanic and Asian). Public health efforts to reduce the incidence of SIDS should emphasize that mothers should not smoke during pregnancy and no one should smoke around a baby.

Passive smoking

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