Sudden infant death syndrome among twin births: United States, 1995-1998.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the incidence and risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in twin and singleton births and to estimate the concordance of SIDS in twins.


METHODS
A cohort analysis using the National Center for Health Statistics Linked Birth and Infant Death files (1995-1998).


RESULTS
Twins had higher SIDS rate (1.3/1000 live births) compared to singletons (0.7/1000 live births), relative risk: 1.9, 95% confidence interval: 1.68, 2.01. Male and small- for-gestational age infants as well as infants of black, unmarried, and smoking mothers were at increased risk for SIDS in both twins and singletons. Placental abnormalities also were associated with SIDS in singletons and twins, although this association failed to achieve statistical significance in twins. There is a higher rate of SIDS in the second twin after a first twin SIDS.


CONCLUSIONS
Twins are at higher risk of SIDS than are singletons. Overall, the epidemiology of SIDS in twins is quite similar to that seen in singletons.
Getahun
Darios
D
Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ-RWJMS, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Demissie
Kitaw
K
Lu
Shou-En
SE
Rhoads
George G
GG
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States