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. 1996 Jun 1;312(7043):1381–1383. doi: 10.1136/bmj.312.7043.1381a

Seasonality and the sudden infant death syndrome during 1987-9 and 1991-3 in Australia and Britain.

A S Douglas 1, T M Allan 1, P J Helms 1
PMCID: PMC2351134  PMID: 8646093

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether seasonality of the sudden infant death syndrome persists now that rates have fallen, mostly after widespread adoption of the "face upwards" sleeping position. DESIGN--Monthly data on the sudden infant death syndrome during 1987-9 were compared for seasonality with those of 1991-3; rates were studied as deaths per 1000 live births. SETTING--Australia and Britain (England, Wales, and Scotland). SUBJECTS--Infants under 1 year dying of the syndrome (2401 for Australia and 6630 for Britain). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Extent of seasonal variation (amplitude) was established by cosinor analysis; amplitudes for the earlier and later years were compared. RESULTS--The rate fell in every month, and, though it did so relatively more in winter than summer, seasonality remained a distinctive feature. In the comparison of amplitudes the ratio between the earlier and later years was 1.4 in both Australia and Britain. Some differences between the hemispheres were noted. CONCLUSIONS--Seasonality of the sudden infant death syndrome remains to be explained and continues to be an important aetiological lead. Studies from other countries are needed.

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Selected References

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