Used infant mattresses and sudden infant death syndrome in Scotland: case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the proposition that a used infant mattress is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Scotland (population 5.1 million, with about 53 000 births a year).


METHODS
131 infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome between 1 January 1996 and 31 May 2000 and 278 age, season, and obstetric unit matched control infants.


METHODS
Routine use of an infant mattress previously used by another child and place of last sleep.


RESULTS
Routine use of an infant mattress previously used by another child was significantly associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (multivariate odds ratio 3.07, 95% confidence interval 1.51 to 6.22). Use of a used infant mattress for last sleep was also associated with increased risk (6.10, 2.31 to 16.12). The association was significantly stronger if the mattress was from another home (4.78, 2.08 to 11.0) than if it was from the same home (1.64, 0.64 to 4.2).


CONCLUSIONS
A valid significant association exists between use of a used infant mattress and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, particularly if the mattress is from another home. Insufficient evidence is available to judge whether this relation is cause and effect.
Tappin
David
D
Scottish Cot Death Trust, Department of Child Health, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow G3 8SJ. goda11@udcf.gla.ac.uk
Brooke
Hazel
H
Ecob
Russell
R
Gibson
Angus
A
D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*