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SIDS Among Twins: A Confounded Relationship

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, page 293 (2005)Cite this article

Dear Editor:

We were disappointed to read the final conclusion of Getahun et al.1 that twins are at higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The analyses they present do not support their conclusion. Using a similar large population-based data set, Malloy and Freeman2 reported an adjusted odds ratio for SIDS among twin births compared to singletons of 1.13 (95% CI=0.97–1.31). In that analysis birth weight was included in the model and was a major effect modifier. Other analyses using US vital statistics data have confirmed no increase risk of SIDS among twins following adjustment for birth weight.3 Getahun et al. present an analysis of SIDS among twins and singletons stratified by gestational age in their Table 3. This analysis shows an increased risk of SIDS among twins greater than 37 weeks. This is a function of the greater prevalence of small for gestational age infants among twins. Adjustment for birth weight would have reconciled this difference.

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References

  1. Getahun D, Demissie K, Lu SE, Rhoads GG . Sudden infant death syndrome among twin births: United States, 1995–1998. J Perinatol 2004;24:544–551.

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  2. Malloy MH, Freeman DH . Sudden infant death syndrome among twins. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1999;153:736–740.

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  3. Malloy MH, Hoffman HJ . Prematurity, sudden infant death syndrome and age of death. Pediatrics 1995;96:464–471.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Michael H Malloy MD, MS

  2. Office of Biostatistics, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

    Daniel H Freeman PhD

Authors
  1. Michael H Malloy MD, MS
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  2. Daniel H Freeman PhD
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Malloy, M., Freeman, D. SIDS Among Twins: A Confounded Relationship. J Perinatol 25, 293 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211234

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211234

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