Epidemiologie van 25 jaar wiegendood in Nederland; incidentie van wiegendood en prevalentie van risicofactoren in 1980-2004

To describe the prevalence of risk factors and the incidence of cot death (sudden infant death syndrome; SIDS) in the Netherlands during the last 25 years.

Design

Descriptive.

Method

The incidence of cot death/SIDS in infants aged 7-365 days in 1980-2004 was derived from Statistics Netherlands, the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics. The prevalence of risk factors for cot death/SIDS in the general population was derived from national surveys of baby clinics (0-9 months; 1985-2004) and studies of cot death/SIDS victims (0-23 months; 1984-1991 and 1996/’04).

Results

The prevalence of the following risk factors for cot death/SIDS has decreased: primary prone sleeping position (from 60 to 8), the use of a duvet (from 85 to 18), maternal smoking (from 34 to 20), paternal smoking (from 48 to 32). The prevalence of routine bed-sharing with a parent increased from nearly 0 to 5. The registered incidence of cot death/SIDS per 100.000 live births decreased from 103 in 1986 to < 15 in 2003 and 2004. The incidence of cot deaths/SIDS that occurred during habitual bed-sharing with a parent, in a playpen, in child-care settings, or in a secondary prone sleeping position increased.

Conclusion

The incidence of cot death/SIDS and the prevalence of known risk factors for cot death/SIDS has decreased. New risk factors have emerged in recent years. Considering the evolving conditions of infant care, an ongoing study on the special features of child care and the factors involved in cases of cot death/SIDS is warranted. This knowledge is essential for periodic adaptation of the national prevention programme.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2005;149:1273-8