Knowledge of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Barriers To Risk Reduction Among African Americans

In the 1980s, sudden infant death syndrome (also known as SIDS or cot death) was one of the most common post-neonatal causes of death in the UK. The dramatic 80% fall in these deaths over the last three decades is a testament to evidence-based research using the observational case–control study and even more impressive given the difficulties in funding studies without a randomized controlled trial design. This chapter will describe the initial breakthrough in the early 1990s, the characteristic profile of SIDS, the associated factors identified, the potential causal mechanisms, and the current risk reduction messages. Most of the risk reduction messages are non-controversial and have been readily accepted by health professionals and parents alike. The divergence of opinion regarding how we give preventative advice surrounding infant bed sharing and the strategies employed is addressed in more detail.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in African Americans: polymorphisms in the gene encoding the stress peptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/j.1651-2227.2008.01131.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 482-489 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Kevin J Cummings ◽

Cherise Klotz ◽

Wei-Qiao Liu ◽

Debra E Weese-Mayer ◽

Mary L Marazita ◽

...

Keyword(s):

African Americans ◽

Adenylate Cyclase ◽

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽

Infant Death ◽

Sudden Infant Death ◽

Sudden Infant ◽

Gene Encoding ◽

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase

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Mothers’ knowledge and attitudes to sudden infant death syndrome risk reduction messages: results from a UK survey

Archives of Disease in Childhood ◽

10.1136/archdischild-2017-312927 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 103 (1) ◽

pp. 33-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Anna S Pease ◽

Peter S Blair ◽

Jenny Ingram ◽

Peter J Fleming

Keyword(s):

Risk Reduction ◽

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽

Infant Death ◽

Risk Group ◽

Sudden Infant Death ◽

Sudden Infant ◽

Infant Sleep ◽

Reduction Strategies ◽

Risk Reduction Strategies ◽

Deprived Areas

ObjectiveTo investigate mothers’ knowledge of reducing the risks for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and attitudes towards safer sleep practices.Design and settingA cross-sectional survey was carried out in deprived areas of Bristol, UK. Recruitment took place in 2014 at local health visitor-led baby clinics.ParticipantsOf 432 mothers approached, 400 (93%) completed the face-to-face survey. Participants with infants at ‘higher’ risk of SIDS (using an algorithm based on a previous observational study) were compared with those at ‘lower’ risk.Main outcome measuresThe survey asked participants to recall three SIDS risk reduction strategies (unprompted), and scored responses to 14 SIDS risk-related infant sleep scenarios (prompted).ResultsOverall, 48/400 (12%) mothers were classified as higher risk. Mothers in the higher risk group were less likely to breast feed (multivariate OR=3.59(95% CI 1.46 to 8.86)), less likely to be able to cite two or more unprompted correct SIDS risk reduction strategies (multivariate OR=2.05(95% CI 1.02 to 4.13)) and scored lower on prompted safer sleep scenarios overall.Notably, only 206/400 (52%) of all mothers surveyed (33% in the higher risk group) from these deprived areas in Bristol identified infant sleep position as a risk reduction strategy for SIDS, despite 25 years of campaigns.ConclusionsMothers in the higher risk group were disadvantaged when it came to some aspects of knowledge of SIDS risk reduction and attitudes to safer sleep. The initial ‘Back-to Sleep’ message that dramatically reduced these deaths a generation ago needs more effective promotion for today’s generation of mothers.

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