Further evidence supporting a causal relationship between prone sleeping position and SIDS

E A Mitchell; R P Ford; B J Taylor; A W Stewart; D M Becroft; R Scragg; D M Barry; E M Allen; A P Roberts; I B Hassall

doi:10.1111/j.1440-1754.1992.tb02732.x

Further evidence supporting a causal relationship between prone sleeping position and SIDS

J Paediatr Child Health. 1992:28 Suppl 1:S9-12. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1992.tb02732.x.

Authors

E A Mitchell¹, R P Ford, B J Taylor, A W Stewart, D M Becroft, R Scragg, D M Barry, E M Allen, A P Roberts, I B Hassall

Affiliation

¹ Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

PMID: 1524882
DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1754.1992.tb02732.x

Abstract

A 3 year case-control study identifying the risk factors for SIDS was undertaken. Preliminary analysis of the data from the first year suggested that SIDS mortality could fall by 50% if the prevalence of the prone sleeping position changed from 40 to 0%. During the 3 year study the prevalence of the prone sleeping position among infants has fallen from 43% in the first year to 20% in the third year. SIDS mortality has fallen to 3.1/1000 live births, which is very close to that predicted. When considered with other available evidence this strongly supports a causal relationship between the prone sleeping position and SIDS.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Case-Control Studies
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Prone Position*
Reproducibility of Results
Risk Factors
Sleep
Sudden Infant Death / etiology*