Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Multi-Modal Home Sleep Monitoring in Older Adults
Published on: January 26, 2019
[Changes in infant sleeping position after an educational intervention in a University General Hospital during a ten
A Eymann1, M Ricciardi, G Caprotta
1Servicios de Clínica Pediátrica, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. alfredo.eymann@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Insights
An educational intervention significantly reduced infant prone sleeping, a major risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The study shows a shift towards recommended supine or side sleeping positions in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Sleep Medicine
Context:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a significant concern in infant mortality.
- The prone sleeping position is the primary identified risk factor for SIDS.
- Effective interventions are crucial to reduce SIDS rates.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the prevalence of infant sleeping positions over a decade.
- To assess the impact of an educational intervention ('Project Link') on infant sleep practices.
- To determine the effectiveness of promoting recommended (supine/side) sleeping positions.
Summary:
- A prospective study tracked infant sleeping positions (supine, side, prone) in infants aged 1-6 months.
- Mothers were educated to avoid the prone position, promoting recommended positions (RP).
- Supine sleeping increased from 49% in 1996 to 90% in 2006, with RP adherence rising from 59% to 88%.
Impact:
- The educational intervention demonstrated a significant reduction in the prevalence of prone sleeping.
- Increased adherence to recommended infant sleeping positions contributes to SIDS risk reduction.
- Sustained promotion of safe sleep practices is vital for infant health and safety.
Introduction:
The prone sleeping position has been identified as the main risk factor for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Objectives:
The aim was to assess the prevalence of the different sleeping positions of infants, between 1 and 6 months, who attended the immunizations office of the "Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires" during a ten year period. During this time an important educational intervention, called "Project Link" was developed.
Material And Methods:
An analytical, prospective study was developed. The recommended position (RP) was the supine position,as well as the side position, to place infants to sleep. Mothers were advised to avoid the prone position or a non-recommended position (NRP).
Results:
A hundred completed questionnaires were obtained each year in 1996, 1998-2001, 2004 and 2006. The percentage of mothers who placed their infants in sleep supine was 49 % in 1996 vs. 90 % in 2006 (p = 0.0001). The accomplishment of the RP was divided in two periods: 1996-1998 (59 %) and 1999-2006 (88 %), p = 0.0002.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of the infant prone sleeping position reduced gradually in the studied population. Nevertheless, it is imperative to emphasize the benefits of the RP, because only during 1999 and 2004 was the percentage of prone position less than 10 %, as in developed countries.
