Gauging SIDS Risk

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Reported June 9, 2003

Gauging SIDS Risk

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Mothers who go into spontaneous labor earlier in their full term pregnancies may be more likely to have a baby who succumbs to sudden infant death syndrome, according to a new study out of Scotland.

Many studies have linked premature birth with SIDS, but little is known about the impact of earlier labor in full term births on SIDS. In this study, researchers analyzed the birth records of all infants born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation over three years. This information was compared to death records for infants who died from SIDS in the first year of life during the same time period. The births were divided into two categories: elective births and nonelective births. Elective births were those where labor was intentionally induced. Nonelective births were characterized by spontaneous labor.

The comparison showed no significant association between risk of SIDS and the developmental age of the baby among the elective births in the group. On the other hand, among the spontaneous labor group the risk of SIDS declined with each additional week the baby spent in the womb. Adjustment for other factors that could have impacted SIDS risk, such as maternal smoking, maternal age, and socioeconomic considerations, only slightly altered the risk.

The researchers conclude earlier spontaneous labor at term and SIDS may somehow be linked, most likely through an association with a suboptimal intrauterine environment.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Pediatrics, 2003;111:1367-1371
Reported June 9, 2003

Gauging SIDS Risk

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Mothers who go into spontaneous labor earlier in their full term pregnancies may be more likely to have a baby who succumbs to sudden infant death syndrome, according to a new study out of Scotland.

Many studies have linked premature birth with SIDS, but little is known about the impact of earlier labor in full term births on SIDS. In this study, researchers analyzed the birth records of all infants born between 37 and 42 weeks gestation over three years. This information was compared to death records for infants who died from SIDS in the first year of life during the same time period. The births were divided into two categories: elective births and nonelective births. Elective births were those where labor was intentionally induced. Nonelective births were characterized by spontaneous labor.

The comparison showed no significant association between risk of SIDS and the developmental age of the baby among the elective births in the group. On the other hand, among the spontaneous labor group the risk of SIDS declined with each additional week the baby spent in the womb. Adjustment for other factors that could have impacted SIDS risk, such as maternal smoking, maternal age, and socioeconomic considerations, only slightly altered the risk.

The researchers conclude earlier spontaneous labor at term and SIDS may somehow be linked, most likely through an association with a suboptimal intrauterine environment.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Pediatrics, 2003;111:1367-1371

 

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