Sleeping Prone and the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
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TL;DR
Analysis of reports that show a relationship between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the prone sleeping position in infants suggests that avoiding the prone position for infants in the first 6 months of life could reduce the number of SIDS deaths by as much as 50%.
Abstract
We recommended avoidance of the prone sleeping position for infants in the first 6 months of life unless there is a specific medical indication for it. Reports from the Netherlands, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand indicate that avoiding the prone position for infants in the first 6 months of life could reduce the number of SIDS deaths by as much as 50%. Unfortunately, these findings have received little attention in North America. We offer here an analysis of these reports so that physicians can assess the evidence and advise parents accordingly.
