Sudden infant death syndrome risk questionnaire: a mirror of parental awareness rather than a prospective diagnostic tool
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Published on: March 14, 2018
H Zotter1, R Kerbl, G Schwantzer
1Department of Paediatrics, University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 30, A-8036 Graz, Austria. heinz.zotter@klinikum-graz.at
Insights
The SIDS risk questionnaire (SRQ) did not impact overall SIDS rates. However, infants whose parents did not respond to the SRQ had a significantly higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), highlighting a potential risk group.
Area of Science:
- Public health
- Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a concern for infant mortality.
- A structured questionnaire, the SIDS risk questionnaire (SRQ), was introduced in Styria, Austria, in 1989 to identify infants at risk.
- Assessing the effectiveness of such preventive tools is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare SIDS rates between populations with and without access to the SRQ.
- To compare SIDS incidence between compliant (responding) and non-compliant (non-responding) groups within the population that received the SRQ.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 53,865 births and 57 SIDS cases.
- Comparison of SIDS incidence rates based on SRQ access and response status.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in SIDS incidence was found between populations with and without access to the SRQ (1.29/1000 vs. 0.86/1000).
- The incidence of SIDS was significantly higher in the non-responding group (2.36/1000) compared to the responding group (0.81/1000).
Conclusions:
- The effectiveness of the SRQ for SIDS prevention may be limited by a non-compliant population.
- Non-responding individuals represent a high-risk group requiring targeted preventive interventions.
- Further research into alternative or supplementary preventive measures for non-compliant populations is warranted.
Aim:
In 1989, a scoring system that aimed to identify infants at risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by a structured questionnaire [SIDS risk questionnaire (SRQ)] consisting of 25 items was introduced in Styria (Austria). It was the aim of the study to compare SIDS rates in the population that had access to the SRQ with the population that had no access. Furthermore, for the population receiving the SRQ, the responding (compliant) and non-responding (non-compliant) groups were compared concerning the incidence of SIDS.
Methods:
Within the study period, 53 865 births and 57 SIDS cases were recorded (incidence 1.06/1000) and analysed retrospectively.
Results:
The incidence of SIDS was significantly higher in the non-responding population (2.36/ 1000) than in the responding group (0.81/1000, p < 0.001). However, the incidence of SIDS was not significantly different in the population that had access to the risk questionnaire (1.29/1000) and the group without access (0.86/1000, p = 0.145).
Conclusion:
The value of any questionnaire used for SIDS prevention may be limited by the existence of a non-compliant population which represents a risk group and should be targeted by other preventive measures.
