Change of position and the decrease in the cases of sudden infant death syndrome in Navarra

The prone position during sleep has been described as the most important risk factor in relationship to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The prevalence of infants that sleep in the prone position and its relationship with SIDS has not been studied in our country. A survey was performed in a population of children born in Navarra between February 1, 1992 and February 1, 1993. We found that 86.5% of these children sleep in the prone position, 5.6% in the supine position and 3.5% on their side. In March 1993 a campaign was begun that recommended that the prone position not be used for infants from the time of birth until 6 months of age. After this campaign, in a sample of 441 children, born between May 1, 1993 and May 1, 1994, only 38.3% of the infants continued to sleep in the prone position, while 46% did so supine and 9% slept on their side. The number of deaths in Navarra as a result of SIDS during the period of 1985 through 1993 was 1.3% of live births with a mean of 6.3 deaths/year. The number of infant deaths after the change of sleeping position, in 1994, was 0.42% of live births, with 2 deaths as a result of SIDS during this year. In Navarra, the decrease in the number of infants sleeping in the prone position has been accompanied by a significant decline in the number of deaths due to SIDS.