Risk Factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Sleeping Practices in Korea
10.4094/chnr.2020.26.1.82
- Author:
Young Mee AHN
1
;
Kyung-moo YANG
;
Hong Il HA
;
Jung Ae CHO
Author Information
1. Professor, Department of Nursing, Inha University, Incheon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Child Health Nursing Research
2020;26(1):82-89
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:0
-
Abstract:
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Korea remains a poorly-understood subject for both professionals and the public. Recent reports have emphasized ethnic differences in SIDS rates, suggesting that making adjustments in child-rearing practices may contribute substantially to SIDS reduction. Two of the three major risk factors for SIDS-vulnerability of the infant and exogenous factors-need to be understood in particular depth due to their broad scope and sociocultural grounding. This paper presents substantial issues regarding preterm birth and male gender on infants’ vulnerability to SIDS in Korea. Practices of caring for healthy infants are addressed in the context of sleeping practices, including sleeping position, bedding arrangements, sleeping on the floor, the back-to-sleep position, high indoor temperatures and ondol floor heating, and swaddling. Professional and social awareness about how to reduce SIDS should be raised by promoting a better understanding of risk factors in the context of ethnic and cultural variations in child-rearing practices.