SIDS risks vary by infant age: Bed sharing remains greatest risk factor for sleep related infant deaths
- Date:
- July 14, 2014
- Source:
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- Summary:
- Sudden infant death syndrome and other sleep-related causes of infant mortality have several known risk factors, but little is known if these factors change for different age groups.
- Share:
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant mortality have several known risk factors, but little is known if these factors change for different age groups.
In a new study in the August 2014 Pediatrics, "Sleep Environment Risks for Younger and Older Infants," published online July 14, researchers studied sleep-related infant deaths from 24 states from 2004-2012 in the case reporting system of the National Center for the Review and Prevention of Child Deaths.
Cases were divided by younger (0-3 months) and older (4 months to one year) infants. In a total of 8,207 deaths analyzed, majority of the infants (69 percent) were bed-sharing at the time of death.
Fifty-eight percent were male, and most deaths occurred in non-Hispanic whites.
Younger infants were more likely bed-sharing (73.8 percent vs. 58.9 percent), sleeping on an adult bed or on/near a person, while older infants were more likely found prone with objects, such as blankets or stuffed animals in the sleep area.
Researchers conclude that sleep-related infant deaths risk factors are different for younger and older infants. Parents should follow the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations for a safe sleep environment and understand that different factors reflect risk at different developmental stages.
Story Source:
Materials provided by American Academy of Pediatrics. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference:
- Jeffrey D. Colvin, Vicki Collie-Akers, Christy Schunn, and Rachel Y. Moon. Sleep Environment Risks for Younger and Older Infants. Pediatrics, 2014 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2014-0401
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