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

Abstract #59233

Eileen Rillamas-Sun, MPH, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc., 40 Worth Street, Room 706, New York, NY 10013, 212-233-9366, erillamasun@aol.com, Tamara Dumanovsky, PhD, Department of Policy and Planning, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 125 Worth St., 6th Fl., New York, NY 10007, and Vani Bettegowda, MHS, Bureau of Family Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2 Lafayette St., 18th Fl., Box 34A, New York, NY 10007.

Background: While the number of SIDS deaths has been decreasing over the past decade, SIDS continues to be a leading cause of infant deaths in New York City. In an attempt to better understand SIDS, many studies have identified risk factors and described characteristics of SIDS deaths. This study presents an analysis of putative risk factors for SIDS deaths in New York City, revealing gaps in prevention education and informing the development of targeted interventions. Objective: To describe trends and characteristics of SIDS deaths in New York City from 1991 to 2000. Methods: Data for trend analyses were obtained from NYC-DOHMH Office of Vital Statistics birth and composite birth-death files for 1991 through 2000. Data from autopsy records were collected for the fifty SIDS deaths that occurred in 2000. Results: Over the past decade, the number of SIDS deaths decreased by more than half, from 108 in 1991 to 50 in 2000. Blacks accounted for 26% of all births but 52% of all SIDS deaths in 2000; whereas, whites accounted for 29% of all births and only 6% of all SIDS deaths. A high proportion of SIDS deaths, in 2000, occurred among teenage mothers (<20 years old) - 9% of all births but 34% of all SIDS deaths. Additionally, in 2000, 28% of infants who died of SIDS were put to sleep prone compared with 22% who were put to sleep supine. Conclusions: While SIDS deaths have declined over the past ten years, targeted interventions and educational campaigns to specific populations may decrease the numbers further.

Learning Objectives:

(
• To describe trends in the SIDS mortality rate over the past decade and identify risk factors and characteristics associated with SIDS. (
• To recognize health behaviors that put infants at risk for SIDS as well as identify populations whose infants are at higher risk for SIDS. (
• To discuss prevention education messages and targeted interventions specific for high-risk populations.

Keywords: SIDS, Risk Factors

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.