SIDS Pacifier Study

Following the “Back to Sleep” campaign in 1994, the rate of SIDS deaths fell from 1.37/1000 live births to 0.57/1000 in 2002 in the United States. Since then there has been a small increase or no further decline in the SIDS incidence. To further decrease this devastating event, new measures are needed. There have been a number of case controlled studies that have shown that the use of pacifiers in infants statistically reduces the rate of SIDS. If pacifiers are started at one month and stopped around 12 months, there appears to be no detrimental effect of using pacifiers. Therefore, in October 2005, the AAP published updated guidelines for the reduction of SIDS and included the recommendation for caregivers to offer a pacifier for infants less than 12 months of age.

The aim of our study is to determine how many of the caregivers who present to our ED are aware of this recommendation. If they are aware, we will ask them where they learned about the recommendation and if they are or are planning to offer their children pacifiers. In addition we will ask about their compliance with other SIDS reduction practices. We will then provide educational material on pacifier use. A subsequent follow-up phone survey of these caregivers will test the effect of this intervention. Our null hypothesis is that there will be no difference in the use of pacifiers following this educational intervention. There will also be an additional phone survey after the infant is 12 months old to identify any SIDS or ALTE events and also general questions to illicit any ill effects of pacifier use. All surveys are in English and Spanish and those participants not reached by phone will be sent a self-addressed-stamped-envelope with a written survey to increase participation rates.

This risk-free study requires minimal time and effort from the participants and will provide an educational opportunity for a potentially lifesaving intervention. In addition individual participation may educate others in the community providing a community-wide benefit.

To download more information click http://kmcemed.edu/uploads/Department_of_Emergency_Medicine--SIDS_Brochure_(English-Espanol)--Version_1.2--Revision[1].pdf