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Supine infant sleep: what do family physicians recommend?
1Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md 20814, USA.
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Family physicians largely encourage safe infant sleep positions, with 62% recommending supine sleep. However, a significant minority (21%) discourage this practice, highlighting a gap in adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for reducing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Family Medicine
Background:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a significant cause of infant mortality, with over 6000 deaths annually in the US.
- Prone sleep position is a known risk factor for SIDS, while supine sleep has been associated with over 50% reduction in SIDS rates.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended supine sleep for infants in 1992, leading to widespread adoption in some countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the self-reported compliance of family physicians with the AAP's recommendation for infant sleep position.
- To understand the current practices of family physicians regarding infant sleep recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was mailed to 300 members of the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians.
- The survey focused on their recommendations concerning infant sleep position.
Main Results:
- A 77% response rate was achieved from the surveyed family physicians.
- 62% of respondents reported usually or always encouraging the supine sleep position for infants.
- Conversely, 21% of respondents reported usually or always discouraging the supine sleep position.
Conclusions:
- The rate at which this cohort of family physicians encourages supine sleep is comparable to previously reported rates among pediatricians.
- The study did not elucidate the reasons behind the incomplete endorsement of the AAP's supine sleep recommendation by family physicians.