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Incidence of sudden infant death syndrome in infants with sickle cell trait
D Gozal1, F W Lorey, D Chandler
1Division of Neonatology and Pediatric Pulmonology, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, CA 90027.
Insights
Infants with sickle cell trait (SCT) are not at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This study found no epidemiological link between SCT and SIDS in newborns, even after adjusting for ethnicity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sickle cell trait (SCT) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) occur more frequently in the Black population.
- A potential epidemiological relationship between SCT and SIDS has been hypothesized due to co-occurrence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological association between sickle cell trait and sudden infant death syndrome.
- To determine if infants diagnosed with SCT have an increased risk of SIDS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study design.
- Infants with SCT born in Los Angeles County (Feb 1990-Feb 1992) were identified via the California Newborn Screening Program.
- Matched SCT infants with confirmed SIDS cases in Los Angeles County (Feb 1990-Mar 1993).
Main Results:
- Three cases of SCT were identified among 589 infants with SIDS.
- The incidence of SIDS in the general population was 1.25/1000 live births.
- The incidence of SIDS in the SCT group was 0.58/1000 cases, a statistically non-significant finding, even after ethnic adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Infants born with sickle cell trait are not at an increased risk of mortality from sudden infant death syndrome.
- The study found no epidemiological link between SCT and SIDS.
- Findings suggest SCT is not a risk factor for SIDS.
Abstract:
The significantly higher incidence of both sickle cell trait (SCT) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the black population suggests that SCT and SIDS may be epidemiologically related. To study this possibility, we identified, for the period of February 1990 to February 1992, all infants with SCT born in Los Angeles County whose disease was diagnosed through the California Newborn Screening Program. We matched these infants with all confirmed cases of SIDS in Los Angeles County from February 1990 to March 1993. Three cases of SCT among 589 infants confirmed to have had SIDS were identified. The incidence of SIDS was 1.25/1000 live births for the general population versus 0.58/1000 cases for the SCT group. This finding remained unchanged when rates were adjusted for ethnicity. We conclude that infants born with SCT are not at increased risk of dying of SIDS.