[Changes in infant sleeping position after an educational intervention in a University General Hospital during a ten year follow up].
BACKGROUND
The prone sleeping position has been identified as the main risk factor for the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the prevalence of the different sleeping positions of infants, between 1 and 6 months, who attended the immunizations office of the "Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires" during a ten year period. During this time an important educational intervention, called "Project Link" was developed.


METHODS
An analytical, prospective study was developed. The recommended position (RP) was the supine position,as well as the side position, to place infants to sleep. Mothers were advised to avoid the prone position or a non-recommended position (NRP).


RESULTS
A hundred completed questionnaires were obtained each year in 1996, 1998-2001, 2004 and 2006. The percentage of mothers who placed their infants in sleep supine was 49 % in 1996 vs. 90 % in 2006 (p = 0.0001). The accomplishment of the RP was divided in two periods: 1996-1998 (59 %) and 1999-2006 (88 %), p = 0.0002.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of the infant prone sleeping position reduced gradually in the studied population. Nevertheless, it is imperative to emphasize the benefits of the RP, because only during 1999 and 2004 was the percentage of prone position less than 10 %, as in developed countries.
Eymann
A
A
Servicios de Clínica Pediátrica, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina. alfredo.eymann@hospitalitaliano.org.ar
Ricciardi
M
M
Caprotta
G
G
Fustiñana
C
C
Jenik
A
A
D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006769:Hospitals, General / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D011187:Posture; D015995:Prevalence; D016684:Prone Position; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*