Pediatricians who believe they know the latest on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may be in for a surprise. The American Academy of Pediatrics plans to issue a new statement on the syndrome in 2005.
Pediatricians who believe they know the latest on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) may be in for a surprise. The American Academy of Pediatrics plans to issue a new statement on the syndrome in 2005.
"This is the first look the public has had at the new statement," said John Kattwinkel, MD, chair of AAP's SIDS task force since 1992. "It's really in a fourth draft, but the statement is almost ready to go to other committees. This is the time for public input."
Prior AAP statements have had a significant impact on SIDS, Dr. Kattwinkel told pediatricians yesterday at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. In 1991, SIDS was responsible for about 4,660 deaths annually in the United States - about 1.3 deaths for every 1,000 live births. By 2002, the last year for which reliable data are available, the toll had dropped 53%, to 0.56 deaths for every 1,000 live births - just over 1,800 infant deaths. The most significant decline began in 1992, when AAP initially called on parents and pediatricians to put infants to sleep on their back, not on their stomach.
AAP wants to see that downward trend continue.
Although the 2005 statement has not been finalized, it is likely to include several new points, Dr. Kattwinkel said, including: