PREVALENCE OF RISK-FACTORS FOR SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME IN SOUTH EAST ENGLAND BEFORE THE 1991 NATIONAL BACK TO SLEEP HEALTH-EDUCATION CAMPAIGN

Background Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is still a major cause of postneonatal death in the United Kingdom in spite of an apparent re cent decline in its incidence. This study investigates the prevalence of known and suspected risk factors for SIDS before the UK government' s national campaign to reduce the risk of cot death. Methods A represe ntative sample of 700 infants and their parents from the South West Th ames Regional Health Authority (SWT) in South East England were random ly selected to take part in the study. Data were obtained from obstetr ic records and extensive parental interviews on a wide range of obstet ric and socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, their he alth-related behaviours, and their infant care practices. Particular c onsideration was given to the prevalence of tour modifiable risk facto rs identified in a related study in New Zealand. Results Thirty-four p er cent of the infants in the sample were not exclusively breast fed o n discharge from hospital, 26 per cent were placed in the prone positi on for sleeping, 44 per cent had shared the parental bed, and 25 per c ent had mothers who smoked. Mothers from socio-economically disadvanta ged groups were more likely to smoke, and less likely to breast feed a t all, or for so long; older infants were more likely to be placed on their backs for sleeping. Conclusions Results from the study show the substantial potential for intervention on modifiable risk factors befo re the Department of Health 'Back to Sleep' health education campaign was carried out. They are being used as a baseline in the evaluation o f the effectiveness of the campaign. Comparisons with the prevalence o f risk factors in New Zealand may suggest aetiological clues and help predict the impact of preventive interventions.