scholarly journals Risk Factors for Sudden Infant Death in North Carolina

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merick M. Yamada ◽  
Michael B. Rosamilia ◽  
Karen E. Chiswell ◽  
Alfred D'Ottavio ◽  
Tracy Spears ◽  
...  

Background: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden, unexplained death of infants <1 year old. SIDS remains a leading cause of death in US infants. We aim to identify associations between SIDS and race/ethnicity, birth weight/gestational age, and socioeconomic/environmental factors in North Carolina (NC) to help identify infants at risk for SIDS.Methods and Results: In this IRB-approved study, infant mortality 2007–2016 and death certificate-linked natality 2007–2014 were obtained from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. General, NC natality statistics 2007–2016 were obtained from CDC Wonder. Association between SIDS/total infant death and covariates (below) were calculated. Total infant mortality decreased 2007–2016 by an average of 14 deaths/100,000 live births per year, while SIDS incidence remained constant. Risk ratios of SIDS/total infant deaths, standardized to Non-Hispanic White, were 1.76/2.41 for Non-Hispanic Black and 0.49/0.97 for Hispanic infants. Increased SIDS risk was significantly and independently associated with male infant sex, Non-Hispanic Black maternal race/ethnicity, young maternal age, low prenatal care, gestational age <39 weeks, birthweight <2500 g, low maternal education, and maternal tobacco use (p < 0.01). Maternal previous children now deceased also trended toward association with increased SIDS risk.Conclusions: A thorough SIDS risk assessment should include maternal, socioeconomic, and environmental risk factors as these are associated with SIDS in our population.

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan W. Matshes ◽  
Emma O. Lew

Recent evidence indicates that with thorough, high quality death investigations and autopsies, forensic pathologists have recognized that many unexpected infant deaths are, in fact, asphyxial in nature. With this recognition has come a commensurate decrease in, and in some cases, abolition of, the label “sudden infant death syndrome” (SIDS). Current controversies often pertain to how and why some infant deaths are determined to be asphyxial in nature and whether or not apparent asphyxial circumstances are risk factors for SIDS, or rather, harbingers of asphyxial deaths. In an effort to sidestep these controversies, some forensic pathologists elected to instead use the noncommittal label “sudden unexpected infant death” (SUID), leading to the unfortunate consequence of SUID – like SIDS – gaining notoriety as an actual disease that could be diagnosed, studied, and ultimately cured. Although it is not possible to provide death certification guidance for every conceivable type of unexpected infant death, we recognize and propose a simple classification system for overarching themes that cover the vast majority of cases where infants die suddenly and unexpectedly.


10.1186/gm207 ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (11) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W Van Norstrand ◽  
Michael J Ackerman

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 835-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Mitchell ◽  
P. G. Tuohy ◽  
J. M. Brunt ◽  
J. M. D. Thompson ◽  
M. S. Clements ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Ian Mitchell ◽  
Daniel Y Wang ◽  
Christine Troskie ◽  
Lisa Loczy ◽  
Abby Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome include premature birth, maternal smoking, prone or side sleeping position, sleeping with blankets, sharing a sleeping surface with an adult, and sleeping without an adult in the room. In this study, we compare parents’ responses on sleep patterns in premature and term infants with medical complexity. Methods Parents of children enrolled in the Canadian Respiratory Syncytial Virus Evaluation Study of Palivizumab were phoned monthly regarding their child’s health status until the end of each respiratory syncytial virus season. Baseline data were obtained on patient demographics, medical history, and neonatal course. Responses on adherence to safe sleep recommendations were recorded as part of the assessment. Results A total of 2,526 preterms and 670 term infants with medical complexity were enrolled. Statistically significant differences were found in maternal smoking rates between the two groups: 13.3% (preterm); 9.3% (term) infants (χ 2=8.1, df=1, P=0.004) and with respect to toys in the crib: 12.3% (term) versus 5.8% preterms (χ 2=24.5, df=1, P<0.0005). Preterm infants were also significantly more likely to be placed prone to sleep (8.8%), compared with term infants (3.3%), (χ 2=18.1, df=1, P<0.0005). Conclusion All the infants in this study had frequent medical contacts. There is a greater prevalence of some risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome in preterm infants compared to term infants with medical complexity. Specific educational interventions for vulnerable infants may be necessary.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document