New AAP Recommendations for Creating a Safe Infant Sleep Environment

The new recommendation focuses on a safe sleep environment that can lower risk for sleep-related infant deaths, including SIDS.

Although the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has declined by 53% since the American Academy of Pediatrics's (AAP's) “Back to Sleep” campaign started in 1994, the decline has plateaued in recent years. SIDS remains the leading cause of postneonatal infant mortality and the third-leading cause of infant mortality. Most SIDS cases (90%) occur in infants younger than 6 months, and recent studies have shown that 10% occur in infants younger than 1 month. SIDS is associated with marked racial and ethnic disparities; incidence in non-Hispanic blacks and American Indian/Alaskan Natives is nearly twice that in white and Asian/Pacific Islanders. Notably, only 53% of black infants sleep in a supine position, compared with 75% of white…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)