Abstract
Descriptive epidemiologic studies of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have not helped elucidate possible causes but have defined population characteristics that must be addressed by prospective theories. Many such studies have had poorly defined populations. Careful pathologic and statistical studies are still needed to characterize this population. In New Jersey, 826 infants died of SIDS from 1/1/76 to 12/31/81. A State law mandating autopsies in such cases has led to an autopsy rate in excess of 98%. A match of birth and death certificates was available for 767 such deaths over this six-year period. Significant findings included the peak age at death between 1 and 2 mo. and a mean age at death of less than 2 mo. The incidence of SIDS in the non-white population (NWP) (3.17/1,000 LB) was significantly greater than in the white population (WP) (0.89/1,000 LB). The male predominance was present in the WP (250 males/388) but not in the NWP (189 males/379). The well-described seasonal variation was noted but was entirely explained by a significant increase only in the males. Significantly more children ≥3 mo. of age died in the winter months. This was not true of infants <3 mo. of age at the time of death. This analysis suggests that victims of SIDS may represent two distinct populations: a group of younger infants without male predominance and a second group of older infants containing significantly more males who die in winter months when respiratory infections are more common.
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Pearlman, M., Donaldson, M. 576 EPIDEMIOLOGY OF SIDS: TWO POPULATIONS AT RISK?. Pediatr Res 19, 206 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00606
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00606