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Bedsharing, roomsharing, and sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland: a case-control study
David Tappin1, Russell Ecob, Hazel Brooke
1Paediatric Epidemiology and Community Health (PEACH) Unit, Department of Child Health, University of Glasgow, Yorkhill, Scotland, UK. goda11@udcf.gla.ac.uk
Insights
Bedsharing with infants, especially those under 11 weeks, significantly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Couch sharing poses an even greater danger and should be avoided for all ages.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant concern for infant mortality.
- Understanding environmental risk factors associated with SIDS is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between bedsharing and the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- To quantify the risk of SIDS associated with different sleep surface sharing practices.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted in Scotland.
- 123 SIDS cases and 263 controls were analyzed.
- The primary outcome measured was sleep surface sharing during the infant's last sleep.
Main Results:
- Sharing a sleep surface was associated with a 2.89-fold increased risk of SIDS.
- Couch sharing demonstrated a substantially higher risk (OR 66.9).
- Bedsharing with infants younger than 11 weeks showed a significantly elevated risk (OR 10.20).
Conclusions:
- Bedsharing is linked to an increased risk of SIDS, particularly in infants under 11 weeks old.
- Strongly advise against any form of couch sharing for infant sleep due to extreme risk.
- These findings underscore the importance of safe sleep environments for infants.
Objective:
To examine the hypothesis that bedsharing with an infant is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Study Design:
A 1:2, case:control study in Scotland UK, population 5.1 million, including 123 infants who died of SIDS between January 1, 1996 and May 31, 2000, and 263 controls. The main outcome measure was sharing a sleep surface during last sleep.
Results:
Sharing a sleep surface was associated with SIDS (multivariate OR 2.89, 95% CI 1.40, 5.97). The largest risk was associated with couch sharing (OR 66.9, 95% CI 2.8, 1597). Of 46 SIDS infants who bedshared during their last sleep, 40 (87%) were found in the parents' bed. Sharing a bed when <11 weeks (OR 10.20, 95% CI 2.99, 34.8) was associated with a greater risk, P = .010, compared with sharing when older (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.32, 3.56). The association remained if mother did not smoke (OR 8.01, 95% CI 1.20, 53.3) or the infant was breastfed (OR 13.10, 95% CI 1.29, 133).
Conclusions:
Bedsharing is associated with an increased risk of SIDS for infants <11 weeks of age. Sharing a couch for sleep should be strongly discouraged at any age.
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