Fetus/Newborn Infant, SIDS

Swaddling and Risk of Sudden Infant Death: A Meta-analysis thatUncovers Some Important Findingsby Dr Lewis First MD,MS, Editor-in-Chief, Pediatrics

It is common for mothers of newborn infants to swaddle their babies in tightblanket wraps to help calm and quiet their babies down. Yet could the risks of swaddling, especially in regard tobeing associated with sudden infant death, outweigh the benefits and if so, at what age? Pease et al. (10.1542/peds.2015-3275) have opted to do a systematic review and meta-analysis focused on these questions. Of 283 papers screened, four met the inclusion criteria providing information on swaddling, sleep position, age,and outcome.  While one finds heterogeneity amongst the few studies meeting study criteria, the meta-analysissuggests that the older the infant swaddled the greater the risk of sudden infant death-with a two-fold increasedrisk for babies swaddled over 6 months.  Prone and side-sleeping also increased the risk of death in swaddledbabies.  

The findings gleaned from this meta-analysis are worth your time and attention and our guess is, once you startreading what the authors found, you will give your patients more information about swaddling than you mayhave ever given before. Wrap yourself up in the information contained in this review article and then share it withparents of your newest patients who may be very thankful you did.

Further Reading

SIDS Risk: It's More Than Just the Sleep Environment●

Maternal Report of Advice Received for Infant Care●

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