title: The continuing decline in SIDS mortality.
abstract: The "Back to Sleep" campaign resulted in a dramatic decrease in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) worldwide. SIDS mortality has continued to decline (in New Zealand by 63% from 1993 to 2004), but the reason for this has not been explained. A postal survey found that the proportion of infants sleeping on their back has increased substantially (from 24.4% in 1992 to 72.3% in 2005), and this could account for the 39%-48% decrease in SIDS mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. e.mitchell@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Edwin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hutchison
authors.forename: Alistair W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011187:Posture; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control