Abstract â–¡ 44

In 1995, Japanese Ministry Health and Welfare has amended the form of death certificate to document the final cause of death by the name of specific diseases, along with the adaptation of ICD-10 for their vital statistics. Due to this amendment, SIDS suddenly emerged to be number 3 and 2 cause of infant and postneonatal death in Japan respectively. Due to the awareness of the importance of SIDS, Ministry Health and Welfare conducted nationwide survey of risk factors of SIDS and Tokyo metropolitan government started to support SIDS family. In this presentation, we summarize current status of SIDS prevention activity in Japan as follow;

  1. 1)

    Chronological changes of infant mortality rate and sudden emerge of the importance of SIDS. :In 1997, infant mortality and neonatal mortality rates in Japan were 3.7 and 1.9 per 1,000 live birth respectively. SIDS represent about 10-11% of infant death and became number 3 cause of death since 1995. (Table)

    Table 1 Chronological Changes of causes of Infant Death
    Full size table
  2. 2)

    Historical review of SIDS prevention campaign in Japan. : SIDS research project sponsored by Ministry Health and Welfare formed in 1981, SIDS Family Association in 1994 and SIDS Research Association in 1995 respectively. Prevention campaign by Family Association started in 1996 and governmental nationwide survey and subsequent propagation started in 1998. Current SIDS ratio is 0.44/1,000 live birth.

  3. 3)

    Problems on lowering SIDS ratio in Japan. :Low autopsy rate (20% of sudden unexpected death) due to inadequate coroner's system, increment of nuclear family and of working mothers.