title: Intrauterine growth retardation and risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess whether intrauterine growth retardation was associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). A total of 148 SIDS cases were identified from the Upstate New York (exclusive of New York City) live birth cohort for 1974 (n = 132,948). Dead controls represented all other sudden deaths (n = 114). Live controls were randomly selected and matched to cases on mother's age, race, parity, and residence and infant's birth date (n = 355). Data were collected from vital certificates (response, 97%), medical records (89%), and autopsy reports (100%). Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the use of logistic regression techniques to control for confounding. With live controls, significant risks were observed for gestations less than 37 weeks (OR = 2.2, CI 1.2-4.1), birth weights less than 2,500 g (OR = 2.5, CI 1.3-5.0) and birth lengths less than or equal to 47.0 cm (OR = 3.4, CI 1.8-6.4). Birth length less than or equal to 47.0 cm was the only significant risk factor observed when dead controls were used (OR = 2.9, CI 1.3-6.8). Risk decreased with increasing gestation and birth size. Postterm infants (greater than or equal to 42 weeks) were at lowest risk (live controls OR = 0.9, CI 0.5-1.6; dead controls OR = 0.6, CI 0.3-1.1). When gestational age was controlled for, SIDS infants were found to have reductions in both weight and length; this suggests that responsible mechanisms begin early in pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo 14214.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Cookfair
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Michalek
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Nasca
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Standfast
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Sever
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kramer
mesh_terms: D001699:Biometry; D001724:Birth Weight; D001827:Body Height; D002508:Cephalometry; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007233:Infant, Postmature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D009518:New York; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*