[Change of position and the decrease in the cases of sudden infant death syndrome in Navarra]

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The prone sleeping position is a major risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
• Limited data existed on infant sleep positions and SIDS prevalence in Navarra prior to this study.
• Previous research established a strong correlation between prone sleep and increased SIDS risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of infant sleep positions in Navarra.
• To evaluate the impact of a public health campaign on infant sleep practices.
• To determine the relationship between changes in sleep position and SIDS rates in Navarra.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted on infants born in Navarra between February 1992 and February 1993 to establish baseline sleep positions.
• A public health campaign recommending against prone sleeping for infants under six months was initiated in March 1993.
• Post-campaign sleep positions were assessed in a sample of infants born between May 1993 and May 1994.
• SIDS mortality data for Navarra from 1985-1993 and for 1994 were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Initially, 86.5% of infants in Navarra slept in the prone position.
• Following the campaign, the prevalence of prone sleeping dropped to 38.3%, with a rise in supine sleeping to 46%.
• SIDS mortality decreased from a mean of 6.3 deaths/year (1.3% of live births) pre-campaign to 2 deaths (0.42% of live births) in 1994.

Conclusions:

• A significant reduction in infant prone sleeping was achieved through a targeted public health intervention.
• The shift away from prone sleeping was strongly associated with a substantial decrease in SIDS incidence in Navarra.
• Public health campaigns promoting safe infant sleep practices are effective in reducing SIDS mortality.