Tuesday, 28 December 2010

SIDS: Surge in SIDS on New Year's Day

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Researchers at the University of California, San Diego discovered a 33% rise in the number of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases on New Year’s Day.

The study, lead by David P. Phillips, examined 129,090 SIDS cases from 1973 to 2006. Researchers used the following three nationwide data sets: the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, computerized death certificates, and the linked birth and infant death data set.
While it isn’t a proven fact, authors of the study believe the rise in SIDS cases on New Year’s Day is a result of alcohol overindulgence by parents or other caregivers. There are a few facts, however, that support this theory, according to researchers.
Phillips and his team identified an increased rate of SIDS on weekends, the day after the Fourth of July and the day after April 20 — a celebratory day for those who smoke marijuana. Past research has also shown that the rate of SIDS is abnormally high if the child’s mother drinks alcohol. Intoxication can make simple tasks difficult; including caring for an infant.
While SIDS has decreased since 1994, it continues to be the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one month and one year.
http://www.mdnews.com/news/2010_12/surge-in-sids-on-new-year's-day

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