Abstract 588 Poster Session I, Saturday, 5/1 (poster 191)

Based on evidence that soft infant bedding is associated with increased SIDS risk, the Back to Sleep Campaign included advice to avoid placing soft bedding under sleeping infants. The purpose of this report is to describe the prevalence in the U.S. of the use of soft infant bedding from 1993 to 1998 and to describe population characteristics associated with the use of soft bedding. Each May from 1993 through 1998, Datastat Inc, Ann Arbor, MI conducted approximately 1,000 telephone interviews by randomly sampling households with infants younger than 8 months from a nationally representative list. The interview was developed specifically for this study and included questions related to sleep position, bedding and other aspects of sleep environment, as well as sociodemographic information. For the 5,401 families with complete data, predictors of soft bedding usage were studied using multiple logistic regression analysis. Two types of bedding placed under infants were assessed 1) blankets, comforters or quilts, and 2) pillows or cushions. The use of 2 or more layers of covers on top of infants was also assessed because of recent evidence that SIDS risk is higher among infants whose head and/or face are covered. Thirty percent of families reported using a blanket or comforter under their infants, and 6.5% of families reported using pillows or cushions under their infants. Thirty-three percent of families reported using two or more layers of covers on top of infants (at least one of these was a thick blanket in 67% and one of these a quilt in 51% of families). No linear trends were observed in the use of soft bedding from 1993 through 1998. Regional differences were found, which included less use of multiple covers in southern states, and more use of soft bedding under infants in western states. After adjustment for other factors, the odds ratios for use of soft bedding under infants were significantly increased in families with the following characteristics: non-white race, lower education, lower income, do not use crib as infant sleep site, and use non-prone infant sleep position. Adjusted odds ratios for use of 2 or more layers of covers were significantly increased in families: with younger infants, whose infants sleep in adult beds and who use blankets under their infants. In summary, despite the Back to Sleep campaign the use of soft bedding has not declined over the past six years and is especially common among families with other risk factors for SIDS.

funded by NICHD#3U10-HD29067