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Sudden infant death syndrome in child care settings in the Netherlands
G A de Jonge1, C I Lanting, R Brand
1Free University, Amsterdam, Prins Bernhardlaan 50, 2341 KL Oegstgeest, Netherlands. jh@janruys.demon.nl
Insights
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases occurred 4.2 times more often in child care settings than expected, despite adherence to safe sleep guidelines. Further research is needed to understand this increased risk in infant care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The Netherlands has achieved a low incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) through effective prevention campaigns.
- Despite low overall SIDS rates, a notable proportion of cases occur during childcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of SIDS in childcare settings in the Netherlands.
- To identify potential risk factors or explanations for SIDS occurring during childcare.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 161 SIDS cases (approx. 85% of national total) from 1996-2002 by the Dutch Paediatric Association's Cot Death Committee.
- Utilizing national survey data from 2000/01 on childcare attendance for 2000 Dutch infants aged 3-6 months.
Main Results:
- Over 10% of investigated SIDS cases occurred in childcare settings.
- Infants aged 3-6 months in childcare had a 4.2 times higher risk of SIDS than expected based on childcare hours.
- Known SIDS risk factors (e.g., sleeping position, parental smoking) were less prevalent in SIDS cases within childcare.
Conclusions:
- Childcare facilities in the Netherlands demonstrate high adherence to safe sleeping recommendations.
- The increased SIDS risk in childcare is not explained by known risk factors or non-adherence to guidelines.
- Hypotheses for the elevated risk include stress and changes in routine care for infants in childcare settings.
Background:
In the Netherlands, there is a very low incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to effective preventive campaigns.
Methods:
During the period September 1996 to August 2002, nationwide 161 deaths from SIDS (about 85% of all cases of SIDS during that time) were investigated by the Cot Death Committee of the Dutch Paediatric Association.
Results And Discussion:
Over 10% of cases of SIDS took place during some type of child care. From a national survey carried out in 2000/01 information was available on the child care attendance of 2000 Dutch infants aged 3-6 months. Based on the hours usually spent in child care by these infants, the number of similarly aged infants that died from SIDS while attending child care was 4.2 times higher than expected. Remarkably, the prevalence of known risk factors for SIDS, such as sleeping position and parental smoking, was favourable in the SIDS cases in child care settings. The adherence of child care facilities to the safe sleeping recommendations is high in the Netherlands, and no explanation as to why child care settings may be associated with an increased risk of SIDS is apparent. The possibility of other explanations, such as stress and change in routine care, is hypothesised.
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