The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60315

Paul C. Dew, MD, MPH¹, Jinwen Cai, MD, MS², V. James Guillory, DO, MPH³, Gerald L. Hoff, PhD, FACE², and Rex Archer, MD, MPH⁴. (1) Department of Preventive Medicine, The University of Health Sciences, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106, 816-283-2282, pdew@uhs.edu, (2) Office of Epidemiology & Health Research, Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, 2400 Troost Avenue, Suite 4000, Kansas City, MO 64108, (3) Departments of Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine, University of Health Sciences, 1750 Independence Ave, Kansas City, MO 64106-1453, (4) Director of Health, Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave., Ste. 4000, Kansas City, MO 64108

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is an important cause of infant mortality in the U.S. The purpose of our study was to identify risks factors for SIDS so that we can target our interventions appropriately. We linked all infant death certificates issued between1996 and 2000 in the Kansas City metropolitan area with their birth certificates. There were a total of 58 deaths from SIDS (1.6 per 1,000 live births). 85% of SIDS babies had normal birth weights. From univariate analysis, mother's age less than 20 years old, education less than 13 years, being unmarried, birth spacing less than 18 months, history of previous deliveries, inadequate prenatal care, smoking, being African American, and the infant being a male, were all significantly associated with SIDS. Interestingly, drinking and medical conditions were not significant. In the stepwise logistic regression model, only age, being unmarried, maternal smoking, birth spacing and history of previous deliveries remained significant. Mothers who gave birth to a SIDS infant were 2.6 times more likely to be unmarried, 3.3 times more likely to be smokers and over 18 times more likely to have delivered a baby in the last 18 months when compared to mothers who did not have a SIDS infant. In order to reach the Healthy People 2010 objective of less than 0.25 deaths from SIDS per 1,000 live births, we must provide smoking cessation programs and counseling against frequent pregnancies to all women of childbearing age. Educational programs on infant care for single mothers should also be available.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant in the session will be able to:
• 1. Understand how data obtained from birth and death certificates at local health departments can be used to evaluate different aspects of infant mortality.
• 2. Conduct univariate and logistic regression analyses on independent variables related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) to identify potential risk factors.
• 3. Prioritize efforts directed at lowering the rate of SIDS.

Keywords: SIDS,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.