title: Sudden infant death syndrome in Korea: a retrospective analysis of autopsy-diagnosed cases.
abstract: This study aimed to elucidate the demographic and sleeping environmental factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Korea. The autopsy reports of all SIDS cases reported to the National Forensic Service and Seoul National University College of Medicine between 1996 and 2008 were reviewed for data collection and analysis to identify the risk factors for SIDS. Analysis of the 355 SIDS cases reported within the study period revealed that of the 168 (47.3%) cases for which sleeping position before death had been reported, 75 (44.7%) cases had occurred after placement in prone or side position. Of the 204 (57.5%) cases for which bed-sharing situation had been reported, 121 (59.3%) deaths had occurred during bed-sharing, of which 54 (44.6%) infants were under 3 months of age, a significantly younger age than that of the non-bed-sharing cases (P = 0.0279). Analysis of the results indicated no tendency toward an increase or decrease in the use of a prone or side position. Rather, there was a statistically significant increasing trend for bed-sharing over the study period (OR, 1.087; 95% CI, 1.004-1.177; P = 0.04). These findings indicate the need for nationwide educational programs promoting a safe sleeping environment to enhance SIDS prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Institute of Forensic Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: Angela Julie
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Shin-Mong
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Han Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joong-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Tae Jung
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Kyung-Moo
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D001344:Autopsy; D001513:Beds; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D044707:Forensic Sciences; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D016684:Prone Position; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Bed Sharing; Sleep; Sudden Infant Death