Risk factors of sudden infant death syndrome and risk factors for sleep disturbances

Relationship between major risk factors of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sleep disorders in the infants is the subject of review and discussion. Improper micro-environmental characteristics (especially poor environmental organisation and lack of developmental stimulation), pre-term delivery and/or infant low birth weight, prone sleep position, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and infantparent(s) bed-sharing are among well-established risk factors of SIDS. These factors may also be associated with sleep disorders in infants, principally with bedtime problems, abnormal night awakenings, and arrhythmic sleep. As an attempt to fix sleep problems, some inexperienced parents may try infant-rearing practices that may only aggravate sleep troubles and lead to further increased risk of SIDS, thus giving start to a vicious circle. Health care providers need to be aware of such situations as an opportunity to provide parents with guidance with respect for individual infant and family characteristics.