Survey of sleeping position recommendations for prematurely born infants

TY - JOUR

T1 - Survey of sleeping position recommendations for prematurely born infants

AU - Dattani, Nikesh

AU - Bhat, Ravindra

AU - Rafferty, Gerrard F.

AU - Hannam, Simon

AU - Greenough, Anne

PY - 2011/2

Y1 - 2011/2

N2 - The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is increased in prematurely born infants compared to those born at term, particularly if they are either slept prone or on their side. The aim of this study was to determine whether a national campaign "Time to get back to sleep" had influenced the recommendations made by neonatal practitioners regarding the sleeping position for prematurely born babies prior to and after neonatal unit discharge. A questionnaire survey was sent to all UK neonatal units, of which 90% responded. The results were compared to those of a survey carried out prior to the national campaign. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the proportion of units which recommended supine sleeping at least 1-2 weeks before discharge (78% versus 83%). Still, a minority of units provided written information for staff (26% versus 33%), but a greater proportion of units provided written information for parents (95% versus 90%, p = 0.047). All units recommended supine sleeping following discharge, and compared to the results of the previous survey, a smaller proportion of units additionally recommended side sleeping after discharge (8% versus 17%, p = 0.01) and a greater proportion actively discouraged prone sleeping (62% versus 38%, p <0.0001). Conclusions: The majority but, importantly, not all neonatal units are giving appropriate recommendations regarding sleeping position following neonatal unit discharge. These results highlight that further education of neonatal staff regarding appropriate sleeping position for prematurely born babies remains imperative.

AB - The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is increased in prematurely born infants compared to those born at term, particularly if they are either slept prone or on their side. The aim of this study was to determine whether a national campaign "Time to get back to sleep" had influenced the recommendations made by neonatal practitioners regarding the sleeping position for prematurely born babies prior to and after neonatal unit discharge. A questionnaire survey was sent to all UK neonatal units, of which 90% responded. The results were compared to those of a survey carried out prior to the national campaign. Analysis of the responses demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the proportion of units which recommended supine sleeping at least 1-2 weeks before discharge (78% versus 83%). Still, a minority of units provided written information for staff (26% versus 33%), but a greater proportion of units provided written information for parents (95% versus 90%, p = 0.047). All units recommended supine sleeping following discharge, and compared to the results of the previous survey, a smaller proportion of units additionally recommended side sleeping after discharge (8% versus 17%, p = 0.01) and a greater proportion actively discouraged prone sleeping (62% versus 38%, p <0.0001). Conclusions: The majority but, importantly, not all neonatal units are giving appropriate recommendations regarding sleeping position following neonatal unit discharge. These results highlight that further education of neonatal staff regarding appropriate sleeping position for prematurely born babies remains imperative.

KW - Questionnaires

KW - Supine Position

KW - Humans

KW - Infant, Newborn

KW - Health Education

KW - Infant, Premature

KW - Infant

KW - Sudden Infant Death

KW - Prone Position

KW - Sleep

KW - Adult

KW - Patient Discharge

KW - Parents

KW - Female

KW - Male

U2 - 10.1007/s00431-010-1291-7

DO - 10.1007/s00431-010-1291-7

M3 - Article

C2 - 20853008

VL - 170

SP - 229

EP - 232

JO - European Journal of Pediatrics

JF - European Journal of Pediatrics

IS - 2

ER -