ABSTRACT
Resumen El síndrome de muerte súbita del lactante es la principal causa de muerte infantil post neonatal en los países desarrollados. El mismo se caracteriza por una muerte repentina e inexplicable de un infante menor a un año. La compleja interacción de múltiples factores en su patogénesis se ilustra con la teoría del triple riesgo, la cual involucra un infante vulnerable en un periodo crítico de su desarrollo ante un factor de riesgo externo. Por medio de educación a los cuidadores y padres se ha documentado una disminución importante en su incidencia, aunque la misma continúa siendo muy alta.
Abstract Sudden infant death syndrome is the leading cause of post neonatal infant death in the developed countries. It is characterized for the sudden and unexplained death of an infant younger than one year old. The interaction of multiple factors in its pathogenesis is illustrated by the triple risk theory, which involves a vulnerable infant at a critical moment of its development facing an external risk factor. Through education to caregivers and parents a drop in incidence has been documented, although it is still very high.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Infant , Sudden Infant Death , Infant, Newborn , Cause of Death , Infant DeathABSTRACT
This study aimed to elucidate the demographic and sleeping environmental factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Korea. The autopsy reports of all SIDS cases reported to the National Forensic Service and Seoul National University College of Medicine between 1996 and 2008 were reviewed for data collection and analysis to identify the risk factors for SIDS. Analysis of the 355 SIDS cases reported within the study period revealed that of the 168 (47.3%) cases for which sleeping position before death had been reported, 75 (44.7%) cases had occurred after placement in prone or side position. Of the 204 (57.5%) cases for which bed-sharing situation had been reported, 121 (59.3%) deaths had occurred during bed-sharing, of which 54 (44.6%) infants were under 3 months of age, a significantly younger age than that of the non-bed-sharing cases (P = 0.0279). Analysis of the results indicated no tendency toward an increase or decrease in the use of a prone or side position. Rather, there was a statistically significant increasing trend for bed-sharing over the study period (OR, 1.087; 95% CI, 1.004-1.177; P = 0.04). These findings indicate the need for nationwide educational programs promoting a safe sleeping environment to enhance SIDS prevention.