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. 2021 Jan;110(1):174-183.
doi: 10.1111/apa.15308. Epub 2020 May 12.

Factors associated with age of death in sudden unexpected infant death

Kelty Allen  1 , Tatiana M Anderson  2 , Urszula Chajewska  1 , Jan-Marino Ramirez  2   3 , Edwin A Mitchell  4
Affiliations

Factors associated with age of death in sudden unexpected infant death

Kelty Allen et al. Acta Paediatr. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to systematically analyse the pregnancy, birth and demographic-related factors associated with age of death in sudden unexpected infant death (SUID).

Methods: Data were analysed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Cohort Linked Birth/Infant Death data set (2011-2013; 11 737 930 live births). SUID was defined as deaths from sudden infant death syndrome, ill-defined causes, or accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. There were 9668 SUID cases (7-364 days; gestation >28 weeks; 0.82/1000 live births). The odds of death at different ages were compared to determine which variables significantly affect the SUID age of death.

Results: Forty-three features indicated a significant change in age of death with two main patterns: (a) younger chronologic age at death was associated with maternal smoking and factors associated with lower socio-economic status, and (b) older age was associated with low birthweight, prematurity and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. However, when age was corrected for gestation, these factors were associated with younger age.

Conclusion: Factors that varied with age of death are well-documented risk factors for SUID. The majority of these risk factors were associated with younger age at death after allowing for gestational age at birth.

Keywords: SIDS; SUID; sudden infant death.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest relevant to this article to disclose.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Comparison of chronological age of death with corrected age of death due to SUID, 2011‐2013. SUID, sudden unexpected infant death
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Median age of death comparing chronological age at death (grey) versus corrected age at death (postmenstrual age—280 d; black) by length of gestation (A) and birthweight (B)
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
The adjusted OR of maternal cigarette smoking (A) during and (B) before pregnancy by month of age for SUID. Completed month 0 = days 7‐30. SUID, sudden unexpected infant death
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Adjusted OR of mother's BMI (35+) (A), marriage status (B). BMI, body mass index
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Adjusted OR for low birthweight (<2500 g; A) and siblings ≤18 mo older (B) for SUID. Completed month 0 = days 7‐30. SUID, sudden unexpected infant death
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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