Further evidence supporting a causal relationship between prone sleeping position and SIDS
E. A. Mitchell, BSc, MB, BS, FRACP, DCH, Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics, University of Auckland. B. J. Taylor, MB, ChB, FRACP, Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics, University of Otago. R. P. K. Ford, MB, BS, FRACP, MD, Community Paediatrician, Christchurch. A. W. Stewart, BSc, Dip Sci, Biostatistician, University of Auckland. D. M. O. Becroft, MD, FRCPA, FRACP, FRCPath, FRNZCOG, Pathologist, Princess Mary Hospital for Children, Auckland. R. Scragg, MB, BS, PhD, MCCMNZ, Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology, University of Auckland. D. M. J. Barry, FRCP, FRACP, DCH, Paediatrician, Hastings. E. M. Allen, BM, BCh, DObstRCOG, DCH, MRCP, Paediatrician, Thames. A. P. Roberts, MB, ChB, FRACP, Community Paediatrician, Wellington. I. B. Hassall, MB, ChB, DCH, FRACP, Commissioner for Children, Wellington.
Abstract
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.
