Prevalence and Predictors of the Prone Sleep Position Among Inner-city Infants

Abstract
RECENT STUDIES in the United States and abroad have shown that the prone sleep position is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).1-4 In countries where the prevalence of the prone sleep position has been reduced to less than 10%, the rates of SIDS have declined by more than 50%.5-9 Although the mechanism linking prone sleep position to SIDS has not been fully elucidated, research suggests that infants placed in the prone position may rebreathe expired air, leading to increases in blood carbon dioxide levels, hypoxia, and subsequent asphyxia or that the prone sleep position may cause infants to overheat through decreased dissipation of heat.10-15