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Bed sharing and the sudden infant death syndrome

H Klonoff-Cohen1, S L Edelstein

  • 1Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla 92037-0607, USA.

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|November 11, 1995
PubMed

Insights

This study found no significant link between routine bed sharing and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While bed sharing was more common in some racial groups, it did not increase SIDS risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant concern in infant mortality.
  • Parental sleep practices, including bed sharing, are often investigated as potential risk factors for SIDS.
  • Cultural and racial differences in infant care practices may influence sleep arrangements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between routine bed sharing and the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • To compare bed sharing practices between infants who died of SIDS and a control group of living infants.
  • To examine potential racial or ethnic differences in bed sharing behaviors.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study was conducted in Southern California.
  • 200 infants who died of SIDS were compared with 200 matched living controls.
  • Data collected included routine bedding, day/night sleeping arrangements, and sleeping arrangement at time of death, with analysis of racial differences.

Main Results:

  • 22.4% of infants who died of SIDS were sharing a bed at the time of death.
  • Daytime bed sharing was significantly more common in African-American and Latin American families compared to white families.
  • The adjusted odds ratio for SIDS associated with routine daytime bed sharing was 1.38 and nighttime bed sharing was 1.21, neither reaching statistical significance.

Conclusions:

  • No significant relationship was found between routine bed sharing and the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
  • Significant differences in bed sharing practices were observed among different racial and ethnic groups.
  • Further research may be needed to understand the complex factors contributing to SIDS and cultural variations in infant sleep.
Abstract

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