Sudden Infant Death Syndrome - are parents getting the message?

Background Factors that place an infant at increased risk of sudden infant death include the prone sleep position, overheating and parental smoking, w hile practices such as bottle-feeding, co-sleeping and the use of pacifiers remain controversial. Major publicity campaigns have been undertaken, whic h have included the distribution of printed material and extensive media co verage. Aims To examine if Irish parents follow the currently recommended childcare guidelines to reduce the risk of sudden infant death and to examine factor s that may have impact on their acceptance. Methods A random selection of 197 infants from the Birth Register of the Ea stern Health Board. Parents were interviewed and a semi-structured survey q uestionnaire was completed, Results Forty one per cent of infants are still placed on their side to sle ep, an inherently unstable position. First time parents are more likely to place their infants on their backs. Over 60% of infants are exposed to one or more adults smoking in the home despite parental knowledge of its associ ation with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sixty eight per cent of inf ants are overwrapped at night and parental understanding of what constitute s overwrapping is poor, Thirteen per cent of infants regularly co-sleep wit h their parents and 20% of these parents smoke. Pacifier use is common. Conclusion Future programmes should target first time parents, should provi de clear information regarding appropriate infant thermal environment, and should ensure regular updating of medical personnel so that they can instru ct families on best current practice. Smoking remains a significant health issue with an impact on sudden infant death.