An 8 year study of risk factors for SIDS: bed-sharing versus non-bed-sharing. Issue 4 (21st October 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McGarvey, C; McDonnell, M; Hamilton, K; O'Regan, M; Matthews, T
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 91:Issue 4(2006)
• Page Start: 318
• Page End: 323
• Publication Date: 2005-10-21
• Subjects: AOR, adjusted odds ratio -- SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome -- UOR, unadjusted odds ratio; bed-sharing -- birth weight -- maternal smoking -- overheating -- SIDS -- sudden infant death syndrome; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2005.074674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Background: It is unclear if it is safe for babies to bed share with adults. In Ireland 49% of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases occur when the infant is bed-sharing with an adult. Objective: To evaluate the effect of bed-sharing during the last sleep period on risk factors for SIDS in Irish infants. Design: An 8 year (1994–2001) population based case control study of 287 SIDS cases and 831 controls matched for date, place of birth, and sleep period. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by conditional logistic regression. Results: The risk associated with bed-sharing was three times greater for infants with low birth weight for gestation (UOR 16.28 v 4.90) and increased fourfold if the combined tog value of clothing and bedding was ⩾10 (UOR 9.68 v 2.34). The unadjusted odds ratio for bed-sharing was 13.87 (95% CI 9.58 to 20.09) for infants whose mothers smoked and 2.09 (95% CI 0.98 to 4.39) for non-smokers. Age of death for bed-sharing and sofa-sharing infants (12.8 and 8.3 weeks, respectively) was less than for infants not sharing a sleep surface (21.0 weeks, p<0.001) and fewer bed-sharing cases were found prone (5% v 32%; p = 0.001). Conclusion: Risk factors for SIDS vary according to the infant's sleeping environment. The increased risk associated with maternal smoking, high tog value of clothing and bedding, and low z scores of weight for gestation at birth is augmented further by bed-sharing. These factors should be taken into account when considering sleeping arrangements for young infants.