title: Bed sharing and the risk of sudden infant death syndrome: can we resolve the debate?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a meta-analysis on the relationship between bed sharing and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from PubMed and Medline were searched for studies published after Jan 1, 1970. The search strategy included articles with the terms "sudden infant death syndrome," "sudden unexpected death," and "cot death" with "bed sharing" or "co-sleeping." To further specify the potential risk of bed sharing and SIDS, subgroup analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. The combined OR for SIDS in all bed sharing versus non-bed sharing infants was 2.89 (95% CI, 1.99-4.18). The risk was highest for infants of smoking mothers (OR, 6.27; 95% CI, 3.94-9.99), and infants <12 weeks old (OR, 10.37; 95% CI, 4.44-24.21).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bed sharing is a risk factor for SIDS and is especially enhanced in smoking parents and in very young infants.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Mechtild M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vennemann
authors.forename: Hans-Werner
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Hense
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bajanowski
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Complojer
authors.forename: Rachel Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kiechl-Kohlendorfer
mesh_terms: D001513:Beds; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D010332:Paternal Behavior; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*