Sudden infant death syndrome: Do the parents follow the recommendations?

Abstract

IntroductionProne sleeping position is the main known modifiable risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). At the end of the twentieth century, preventive campaigns were initiated, which recommended parents to have their children sleep in the supine position, with a significant reduction of SIDS rates worldwide being observing after this. There are other SIDS recommendations apart from the sleeping position, although with less impact. The objective of this study is to describe the prevalence of prone position during sleep in a sample of Spanish babies and infants, as well as other risk factors associated with SIDS. MethodsCross-sectional study carried out on 640 families with children from 0 months to 11 months. In addition to the sleep position, the adherence to four other recommendations regarding SIDS was analysed: place where infant sleeps, breastfeeding, use of non-nutritive suction, and maternal smoking. ResultsA total of 41.3% of infants under 6 months and 59.7% of infants aged 6–11 months slept in a non-recommended position. Only 6.4% of families analysed followed all five recommendations. DiscussionThere is a high, and therefore concerning, prevalence of modifiable risk factors for SIDS among the population studied. Personalised education should be promoted, along with other campaigns to raise awareness and prevent SIDS.