SIDS and Living at a High Altitude
Recently we were discussing SIDS, and how the instigating factor of SIDS is sleep apnea due to hypoxia. Well I couldn't help but ask the question "Since people at high altitudes live in low oxygen, are they suffering from more instances of SIDS?" And our esteemed Dr. Wasser told me to find out. So here is my finding. I've cut and pasted the Abstract of the article and the link to the full one, if you so deem it worthy of your time to pursue.
"Living at high altitude and risk of sudden infant death syndrome
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between altitude of residence and risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).METHODSA retrospective, case control study in the Tyrol, Austria enrolled 99 infants with SIDS occurring between 1984 and 1994, and 136 randomly selected control cases. Data on pregnancy, delivery, child care practice, and sociodemographic characteristics including altitude of residence were collected with a standardised questionnaire.
RESULTS The risk of SIDS increased gradually with increasing altitude of residence. This relation remained independently significant when the analysis was adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, prenatal care, mother's age at delivery, educational level of parents, and cigarette smoking during pregnancy. The prone sleeping position emerged as an obligatory cofactor in this association. In the whole of Austria, a similar trend of association emerged between the average altitudes in the 99 political counties and the rates of SIDS.
CONCLUSIONS This study identified altitude of residence as a significant risk predictor of SIDS, primarily in combination with the prone sleeping position. Respiratory disturbances, reduced oxygen saturation, and lower temperatures at high altitude might explain this association.(Arch Dis Child 1998;79:506-509)"
http://adc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/79/6/506
And I believe that answers my question.
Have a great day!
"Living at high altitude and risk of sudden infant death syndrome
OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between altitude of residence and risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).METHODSA retrospective, case control study in the Tyrol, Austria enrolled 99 infants with SIDS occurring between 1984 and 1994, and 136 randomly selected control cases. Data on pregnancy, delivery, child care practice, and sociodemographic characteristics including altitude of residence were collected with a standardised questionnaire.
RESULTS The risk of SIDS increased gradually with increasing altitude of residence. This relation remained independently significant when the analysis was adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, prenatal care, mother's age at delivery, educational level of parents, and cigarette smoking during pregnancy. The prone sleeping position emerged as an obligatory cofactor in this association. In the whole of Austria, a similar trend of association emerged between the average altitudes in the 99 political counties and the rates of SIDS.
CONCLUSIONS This study identified altitude of residence as a significant risk predictor of SIDS, primarily in combination with the prone sleeping position. Respiratory disturbances, reduced oxygen saturation, and lower temperatures at high altitude might explain this association.(Arch Dis Child 1998;79:506-509)"
http://adc.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/79/6/506
And I believe that answers my question.
Have a great day!
posted by Anonymous at 9:30 AM
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