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Pacifier Use and Sids: Evidence for a Consistently Reduced Risk

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Abstract

Pacifier use at sleep time decreases sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk. It is yet unclear whether pacifier use can modify the impact of other sleep-related factors upon SIDS risk. The objective of this study was to examine the association between pacifier use during sleep and SIDS in relation to other risk factors and to determine if pacifier use modifies the impact of these risk factors. Data source was a population based case–control study of 260 SIDS deaths and 260 matched living controls. Pacifier use during last sleep decreased SIDS risk (aOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.17–0.52). Furthermore, pacifier use decreased SIDS risk more when mothers were ≥20 years of age, married, nonsmokers, had adequate prenatal care, and if the infant was ever breastfed. Pacifier use also decreased the risk of SIDS more when the infant was sleeping in the prone/side position, bedsharing, and when soft bedding was present. The association between adverse environmental factors and SIDS risk was modified favorably by pacifier use, but the interactions between pacifier use and these factors were not significant. Pacifier use may provide an additional strategy to reduce the risk of SIDS for infants at high risk or in adverse sleep environments.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Kristen Wells, PhD for statistical assistance. This study was supported by HRSA grant 1R40MC08963-01 and by funding from First Candle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Children’s National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA

    Rachel Y. Moon

  2. Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

    Rachel Y. Moon

  3. Department of Family Medicine, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Kawai O. Tanabe & Fern R. Hauck

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA

    Diane Choi Yang & Heather A. Young

  5. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Fern R. Hauck

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  1. Rachel Y. Moon
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  2. Kawai O. Tanabe
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Correspondence to Rachel Y. Moon.

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Moon, R.Y., Tanabe, K.O., Yang, D.C. et al. Pacifier Use and Sids: Evidence for a Consistently Reduced Risk. Matern Child Health J 16, 609–614 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-011-0793-x

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