title: Physician recommendations regarding SIDS risk reduction: a national survey of pediatricians and family physicians.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Diana L. and Stephen A. Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Washington, DC, USA. rmoon@cnmc.org
authors.forename: Rachel Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kington
authors.forename: Rosalind
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Oden
authors.forename: Joana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: Fern R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hauck
mesh_terms: 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