Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and infant care practices.

BACKGROUND: The rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been declining around the world and in Canada. However, the rate of decrease of SIDS in Saskatchewan has been slower. Also the Saskatchewan rate remains higher than the national rate. Infant care practices and lifestyles have been closely linked with the SIDS rate. OBJECTIVE: We sought to elucidate some of the infant care practices and lifestyle issues that are associated with SIDS in the province of Saskatchewan. METHODS: We analyzed demographic, infant care practice and lifestyle practice information that was available to us from the Chief Coroner's office and compared them with similar data collected from a case comparison group. RESULTS: Over a period of 13 years, 258 SIDS cases and 235 case comparisons were reviewed. Unsafe infant care practices increased the SIDS rate by 3 times (p<0.01). Unhealthy lifestyle also increased the SIDS rate significantly. Aboriginal infants in Saskatchewan showed 5.5 times greater risk of death than non-aboriginals (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The increased rate of SIDS in Saskatchewan was partly related to the increased death rate in aboriginal infants. Improvements in infant care practices and lifestyle are necessary elements for further reduction of the SIDS rate in Saskatchewan. (CINAHL abstract)