Thursday 13 December 2007

Mattress wrapping doesn’t account for fall in SIDS deaths

An Auckland postal survey of 400 mothers has found wrapping cot mattresses in plastic has not contributed to the continuing decline in SIDS mortality.

Mums who gave birth at National Women’s Hospital in Auckland between January 2005 and March 2005 were asked if they used plastic wrapping over their child’s mattress, and if so did the wrapping completely cover the mattress, in a study by Auckland University’s professor in child health research Ed Mitchell...

Professor Mitchell’s study finds parents who used plastic wrapping on cot mattresses were more likely to be European, sleep their baby supine, not share a bed and be a non-smoker – all factors associated with a reduced risk of SIDS. - Lucy Ratcliffe lratcliffe@nzdoctor.co.nz

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