Native Americans have one of the highest rates of infant mortality among any racial or ethnic group in this country. The leading cause of infant mortality among Native American infants is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). In fact, Native Americans have the highest rate of SIDS death in the nation. Because of the alarming rates of SIDS death among Native American infants and the evidence of racial disparity for SIDS rates, this study attempted to answer the research question: Do certain risk factors for SIDS influence Native American infants differently than white infants? This study analyzed the differences in risk of SIDS among Native American and white infants. It is a retrospective cohort analysis which included analysis of risk factors linked with SIDS in previous literature. The study used data from the 1995 and 1996 Linked Birth/Infant Death Period Data files. Native American infants had almost three times the risk of dying from SIDS as white infants. Risk factors which were significant predictors of SIDS death for both Native American and white infants included low birthweight, young maternal age, higher order birth, an unmarried mother, and a mother who smoked during pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, there was no evidence of significant interaction between risk variables and race. Therefore, it appears that the high rate of SIDS death among Native American infants is due to the high prevalence of risk factors in the population, and not an intrinsic risk based on Native American race.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will: 1. recognize sudden infant death syndrome as the leading cause of death among Native American infants 2. identify risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome 3. recognize racial and ethnic disparities in the rates of death due to sudden infant death syndrome across
Keywords: Infant Mortality, American Indians
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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.