Maternal education and risk factors for sudden death in infants

To monitor infant care practices associated with risks for sudden infant de ath, 400 Belgian families with infants less than 6 months old were question ed by 21 paediatricians during routine visits to local paediatric practices and well baby services (I I in urban centres, 10 in rural areas). Because of incomplete information, 35 families were excluded. Of the 365 mothers in cluded in the study, 36.1% had under 7 years of schooling, 38.4% less than 13 years, and 25.5% had a professional school or a university degree. Risk factors for sudden infant death were found in 208 (56.9%) families: a usual non-supine sleep position (31.5% of the infants); sleeping under a duvet ( 24.1%); mothers Smoking during and after gestation (16.4%); a high room tem perature (6.6%); use of sedatives (3.8%); necklaces or plastic film in the cot (2.5%); and soft beddings (2.2%). Maternal education, but not the fathe rs' profession was significantly related to the number of risk factors (mea n odds ratio of 4.4; 95% Cl: 1.5 to 5.3; P = 0.001). A stepwise logistic re gression analysis identified the mother's length of schooling as the single most significant independent factor for the presence of risk (P < 0.005). Conclusion Less educated mothers reported having been informed of risk-redu cing recommendations as frequently as better educated mothers. It can be co ncluded that future reduction in risks for sudden infant death syndrome sho uld include new strategies designed to modify infant care practices.