SIDS research: supine is fine -
Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, 5th Annual Congress, Canberra
Research in Australia and North America has found that the adoption of supine (on the back) sleep recommendations for babies has led to a remarkable decline in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) rates.
According to the Head of the Neonatal Medicine Department at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Associate Professor Heather Jeffery, SIDS deaths in Australia have been reduced from 2 to 0.6 per 1000 livebirths in 1999, due mainly to a shift to the supine sleeping position for infants instead of the prone (face down) position. In some states, SIDS has almost been eliminated.
Professor Jeffery's research group examined healthy infants to determine if the potential for Laryngeal Chemoreflex (LCR) stimulation was more likely in the prone or supine sleeping position. LCR is a response that can result in a decrease in breathing and apnea, and is considered a high risk contributor in SIDS deaths.
The tests determined that LCR was a risk in the prone position, and a greater threat for infants under six months old.
In the supine position, babies are likely to have more gastro-oesophageal reflex, but the baby is better able to protect itself from LCR and similar responses.
These findings support other work by Professor Jeffery and her team that dismissed fears that supine babies are at a greater SIDS risk because of complications due to reflux or vomiting. It was found that most reflux is covert and does not reach the pharynx or mouth.
Professor Jeffery's work is mirrored by research conducted by Professor Robert Brouillette, from the McGill University, Montreal. Professor Brouillette's research shows that the prevalence of prone sleep position in the US has declined from 70% to 24%, in line with the decline in SIDS deaths.
While the overall number of SIDS deaths is decreasing, SIDS remains the most common cause of death in infancy among Western Australian indigenous infants. Dr Sandra Eades has prepared a paper covering this problem and other causes of indigenous early childhood mortality in Western Australia.
Professor Jeffery, Professor Brouillette and Dr Eades will all be presenting their papers to the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Congress this Wednesday 14 March 2001.
The Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand is an organisation of healthcare professionals dedicated to the care of mother and baby during pregnancy, birth and early childhood.