ATLANTA, Georgia – A recent study conducted by researchers at the CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion revealed that most cases of sudden unexplained infant death (SUID) had multiple unsafe sleep factors present, regardless of sleep location.
Out of 7,595 cases of SUID, 59.5% involved sleep surface sharing when the infants died, with at least 76% of the cases displaying multiple unsafe sleep factors. The study found that infants who shared their sleep surface had a larger number of other unsafe sleep factors, with nearly one-third exhibiting all three unsafe sleep factors, including soft or loose bedding or objects, not being in a crib, and assuming a prone or side position.
The researchers emphasized the importance of using the evidence from this and previous studies to shape conversations on safe sleep guidance. They noted that clinicians can play a significant role in understanding the motivations for surface sharing and the impact of modeling behavior to promote safe sleep practices. Previous reasons for surface sharing included breastfeeding, better sleep, calming a fussy infant, convenience, monitoring the infant closely, and protection from environmental dangers.
Furthermore, the study revealed that the largest proportion of sharing and non-sharing infants were ages 0 to 3 months. Non-Hispanic Black infants were more commonly associated with sharing, while non-Hispanic white infants were more commonly associated with non-sharing. Additionally, publicly insured infants made up the largest proportion of both sharing and non-sharing infants.
The study also found that infants who shared sleep surfaces were most often found supine and in an adult bed at the time of death. Moreover, exposure to prenatal maternal cigarette smoking and parental supervision, especially while impaired by drugs or alcohol, were more common among sharing infants.
In a separate policy statement, researchers advocated for a national surveillance system to monitor SUID and sudden death in the young. They also recommended that childhood fatality review teams provide feedback to identify systemic issues and prevent future infant deaths. The researchers analyzed data from the CDC’s SUID Case Registry, which included cases of SUID among residents of 23 U.S. jurisdictions who died from 2011 to 2020.
Limitations of the study included the reliance on witness reports and limited geographic representation. However, the findings underscore the need for continued research and interventions to ensure safe sleep environments for infants across the nation.