The significantly higher incidence of both Sickle cell trait (SCT) and
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the black population suggests
that SCT and SIDS may be epidemiologically related. To study this poss
ibility, we identified, for the period of February 1990 to February 19
92, all infants with SCT born in Los Angeles County whose disease was
diagnosed through the California Newborn Screening Program. We matched
these infants With all confirmed cases of SIDS in Lo Angeles County f
rom February 1990 to March 1993. Three cases of SCT among 589 infants
confirmed to have had SIDS were identified. The incidence of SIDS was
1.25/1000 live births for the general population versus 0.58/1000 case
s for the SCT group. This finding remained unchanged when rates were a
djusted far ethnicity. We conclude that infants born with SCT are not
at increased risk of dying of SIDS.