title: A comprehensive review of evidence and current recommendations related to pacifier usage.
abstract: Pacifier usage is controversial, and published recommendations are contradictory. The purposes of this literature review were to provide a comprehensive summary of risks and benefits of pacifier usage based upon the highest levels of evidence available and to provide a reference for nurses to utilize while assisting mothers in making an informed decision. Results indicated that benefits include reported ability to soothe/comfort, decreased risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and a probable synergistic role in adjunctive pain relief. Greatest risks are an increased incidence of acute otitis media, possible negative impact on breast-feeding, and dental malocclusion particularly if usage is greater than 2-3 years. The frequency, intensity, and duration of pacifier use are related to type and extent of all risks.
authors.affiliation: Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH, USA. anelson@anselm.edu
authors.forename: Antonia M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D011786:Quality Control; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013060:Speech; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*