Physician recommendations regarding SIDS risk reduction: a national survey of pediatricians and family physicians.
BACKGROUND
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of death among infants. Recently, new SIDS risk factors have emerged.


OBJECTIVE
To determine knowledge and recommendations of pediatricians and family physicians regarding SIDS-relevant practices.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of 3005 pediatricians and family physicians.


RESULTS
Of the 783 respondents, pediatricians comprised 64% and females 52%; 78% recognized supine as the recommended sleep position; 69% recommended supine. Almost all physicians recommended a firm mattress, 82% recommended a crib or bassinet, and 42% recommended a separate room for infants; 63% had no preference about or did not recommend restricting pacifier use. Pediatricians were more likely to discuss infant sleep position and room sharing at every well-child visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge about recommended infant sleep position is relatively high, but there are gaps in physician knowledge regarding safe sleep recommendations. Greater dissemination of information is required, and barriers to implementation need to be identified and addressed.
Moon
Rachel Y
RY
Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Diana L. and Stephen A. Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Washington, DC, USA. rmoon@cnmc.org
Kington
Marit
M
Oden
Rosalind
R
Iglesias
Joana
J
Hauck
Fern R
FR
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001513:Beds / Q000145:classification; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010372:Pediatrics; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016683:Supine Position; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States