title: Sudden infant death syndrome: risk factors for infants found face down differ from other SIDS cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the hypothesis that infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) found face down (FD) would have SIDS risk factors different from those found in other positions (non-face-down position, NFD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the New Zealand Cot Death Study data, a 3-year, nationwide (1987 to 1990), case-control study. Odds ratios (univariate and multivariate) for FD (n = 154) and NFD SIDS (n = 239) were estimated separately, and statistical differences between the two groups were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 12 risk factors for SIDS, there were 8 with a statistically significant difference between FD and NFD infants. After adjustment for the potential confounders, younger infant age, Maori ethnicity, low birth weight, prone sleep position, use of a sheepskin, and pillow use were all associated with a greater risk of SIDS in the FD than the NFD group. Sleeping during the nighttime, maternal smoking, and bed-sharing were associated with a risk of SIDS only in the NFD group. Pacifier use was associated with a decreased risk for SIDS only in the NFD group, whereas being found with the head covered was associated with a decreased risk for SIDS for the FD group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Infants with SIDS in the FD position appear to be a distinct subgroup of SIDS. These differences in risk factors provide clues to mechanisms of death in both SIDS subtypes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: John M D
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Bradley T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Thach
authors.forename: David M O
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Becroft
authors.forename: Edwin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001512:Bedding and Linens / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000009:adverse effects; D011187:Posture; D016684:Prone Position; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control