Appendix A
History of SIDS
2000
NICHD released third five-year strategic plan. AAP released policy statement from the Task Force for Infant Sleep Position stating “ wholly on the back” as the preferred position.
2001
AAP revised its policy statement on Distinguishing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome From Child Abuse.
2005
First international conference to address both SIDS and stillbirth is held by First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the International Stillbirth Alliance. The conference, “ Together Making A World of Difference,” was held in Arlington, Virginia.
The AAP releases a new policy statement, “The Changing Concept of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Diagnostic Coding Shifts, Controversies Regarding the Sleeping Environment, and New Variables to Consider in Reducing Risk.” The AAP no longer recognizes side sleeping as a reasonable alternative to fully supine sleeping. The AAP also stresses the need to avoid redundant soft bedding and soft objects in the infant’s sleeping environment, the hazards of adults sleeping with an infant in the same bed, the SIDS risk reduction associated with having infants sleep in the same room as adults and with using pacifiers at the time of sleep, the importance of educating secondary caregivers and neonatology practitioners on the importance of “ back to sleep,” and strategies to reduce the incidence of positional plagiocephaly associated with supine positioning.
Sources: W. Guntheroth, 1995; R.H. Raring, 1975
