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Neonatal circumcision and prematurity are associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
1Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, University of Sheffield, UK.
Insights
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk increases with male neonatal circumcision (MNC) and prematurity. Reducing these factors may help lower SIDS mortality rates in infants.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of postneonatal infant mortality.
- The allostatic load hypothesis suggests SIDS results from cumulative perinatal stress impacting infant regulatory systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between SIDS and male neonatal circumcision (MNC) and prematurity.
- To test the allostatic load hypothesis regarding SIDS etiology.
Main Methods:
- Utilized latitudinal data from 15 countries and 40 US states (2009-2013).
- Employed linear regression and likelihood ratio tests to analyze SIDS correlations with MNC and prematurity.
Main Results:
- SIDS mortality showed a significant positive correlation with MNC rates globally and within the US.
- Prematurity rates were also significantly and positively correlated with SIDS mortality.
- States where Medicaid covers MNC exhibited higher MNC rates and a higher male/female ratio of SIDS deaths.
Conclusions:
- Epidemiological findings suggest MNC and prematurity are associated with increased SIDS risk.
- Biological plausibility is supported by evidence linking early-life aversive events to SIDS.
- Further cohort studies are needed to identify at-risk infants and reduce SIDS rates.
Background:
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the most common cause of postneonatal unexplained infant death. The allostatic load hypothesis posits that SIDS is the result of cumulative perinatal painful, stressful, or traumatic exposures that tax neonatal regulatory systems.
Aims:
To test the predictions of the allostatic load hypothesis we explored the relationships between SIDS and two common phenotypes, male neonatal circumcision (MNC) and prematurity.
Methods:
We collated latitudinal data from 15 countries and 40 US states sampled during 2009 and 2013. We used linear regression analyses and likelihood ratio tests to calculate the association between SIDS and the phenotypes.
Results:
SIDS mortality rate was significantly and positively correlated with MNC. Globally (weighted): Increase of 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01-0.1, t = 2.86, p = 0.01) per 1000 SIDS mortality per 10% increase in circumcision rate. US (weighted): Increase of 0.1 (95% CI: 0.03-0.16, t = 2.81, p = 0.01) per 1000 unexplained mortality per 10% increase in circumcision rate. US states in which Medicaid covers MNC had significantly higher MNC rates (χ̄ = 0.72 vs 0.49, p = 0.007) and male/female ratio of SIDS deaths (χ̄ = 1.48 vs 1.125, p = 0.015) than other US states. Prematurity was also significantly and positively correlated with MNC. Globally: Increase of 0.5 (weighted: 95% CI: 0.02-0.086, t = 3.37, p = 0.004) per 1000 SIDS mortality per 10% increase in the prematurity rates. US: Increase of 1.9 (weighted: 95% CI: 0.06-0.32, t = 3.13, p = 0.004) per 1000 unexplained mortalities per 10% increase in the prematurity rates. Combined, the phenotypes increased the likelihood of SIDS.
Conclusions:
Epidemiological analyses are useful to generate hypotheses but cannot provide strong evidence of causality. Biological plausibility is provided by a growing body of experimental and clinical evidence linking aversive preterm and early-life SIDS events. Together with historical and anthropological evidence, our findings emphasize the necessity of cohort studies that consider these phenotypes with the aim of improving the identification of at-risk infants and reducing infant mortality.
Relevance For Patients:
Preterm birth and neonatal circumcision are associated with a greater risk of SIDS, and efforts should be focused on reducing their rates.
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