Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, including details on sids, causes, prevention, statistics.

Infant care practices associated with sudden infant death syndrome: findings from the Pacific Islands Families study.

Schluter PJ, Paterson J, Percival T

Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand. philip.schluter@aut.ac.nz

AIM: To report infant care practice prevalence for known modifiable sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk factors among a generally disadvantaged yet low-SIDS rate population of mothers with Pacific infants. METHODS: The Pacific Islands Families study follows a cohort of Pacific infants born at a large tertiary hospital in South Auckland, between 15 March and 17 December 2000. Maternal self-report of infant care practices was undertaken at interview 6 weeks post-partum. RESULTS: Overall, 1376 mothers self-reported upon their care practices for infants with median age of 7 weeks. Current maternal smoking was reported by 29%. Of infants: 50% were fully breastfed; 1% were placed prone to sleep; 50% usually bed-shared with their mother and 12% usually bed-shared with a mother who smoked; and 94% usually and 1% occasionally slept in the same room as their mother. Except for room sharing (P = 0.09), there were significant differences in these practices between the three major Pacific Island ethnic subgroups (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adoption of bed-sharing and room-sharing practices appears to be saving Pacific infants' lives, even though the New Zealand Cot Death Association has discouraged bed-sharing and not actively promoted room sharing. Mothers need to receive adequate information antenatally about the risks and benefits of room-sharing, bed-sharing and safe-sleeping practices and environments should they decide or have no option but to bed-share.

Published 10 May 2007 in J Paediatr Child Health, 43(5): 388-93.
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