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Review

A United States Perspective

Kawai O Tanabe  1 , Fern R Hauck  1
Jhodie R Duncan, Roger W Byard
, editors.
In: SIDS Sudden Infant and Early Childhood Death: The Past, the Present and the Future. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2018 May. Chapter 19.
Affiliations
Review

A United States Perspective

Kawai O Tanabe et al.

Excerpt

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates have declined significantly in the United States (US) as a result of the “Back to Sleep” campaign. Despite this and many state and local risk reduction campaigns, rates still remain high in the African American and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently released (2016) updated guidelines and recommendations for a safe sleep environment (12). However, certain recommendations, especially the advice against infant bed sharing, continue to be controversial and are not followed by some groups. Further research on the reasons for non-adherence and identification of culturally acceptable and safe alternatives that address parental concerns are needed to help in targeting educational interventions in high-risk populations. In this chapter, we will address SIDS from a US perspective, covering rates and trends, interventions to reduce risk, the bed-sharing controversy, and current laws and regulations in the US.

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