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Progress in reducing risky infant sleeping positions--13 states, 1996-1997
Insights
The national "Back-to-Sleep" campaign successfully reduced stomach sleeping for infants. However, safe infant sleep positions still vary by state and maternal demographics.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of infant mortality in the US.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends back sleeping to reduce SIDS risk.
- The national "Back-to-Sleep" campaign was launched in 1994 to promote safe infant sleep practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of the "Back-to-Sleep" campaign on infant sleeping positions.
- To analyze trends in infant sleep positioning from 1996 to 1997.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of population-based infant sleeping position data from 13 states.
- Utilized data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for 1996 and 1997.
Main Results:
- Significant decline in stomach sleeping positions observed in four states.
- Significant increase in back sleeping positions observed in nine states.
- Variations in stomach sleeping rates persisted, influenced by state, maternal demographics, and insurance type.
Conclusions:
- The "Back-to-Sleep" campaign demonstrated positive effects on infant sleep positioning.
- Continued monitoring and targeted interventions are needed to address disparities in safe infant sleep practices.
Abstract:
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is one of the leading causes of postneonatal mortality in the United States. To reduce the risk for SIDS, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all healthy babies be placed to sleep on their backs. In 1994, a national "Back-to-Sleep" education campaign was begun to encourage health-care providers and the public to adopt a back or side sleeping position for all infants. To assess the response to these recommendations, CDC analyzed population-based data on infant sleeping positions during 1996 and 1997 from 13 states participating in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS). This report summarizes the results of that analysis and indicates that from 1996 to 1997 placement of infants in the stomach sleeping position declined significantly in four states and placement of infants in the back sleeping position increased significantly in nine states. However, the percentage of infants placed on their stomachs continued to differ by state, maternal demographics, and type of insurance coverage.