Adolescent Substance Abuse Articles
Study: SIDS incidents rise on New Year's Day
By Staff Writer
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is an unexplained incident that occurs to children under the age of 1, according to the American SIDS Institute.
On New Year's Day, the number of babies who die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) increases by 33 percent, according to a new study. Researchers believe this is due to alcohol consumption by caretakers on New Year's Eve.
The study results, which are published in the journal Addiction, were obtained from an examination of 129,090 SIDS cases from 1973 to 2006. Researchers analyzed computerized death certificates, the linked birth and infant death data set and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Several pieces of evidence were identified that linked SIDS to alcohol. Both were shown to increase on New Year's Eve and over weekends. In addition, the SIDS death rate was shown to be abnormally high for children of mothers who consume alcohol.
A smaller spike in SIDS was also identified following April 20, which is a counterculture celebration of cannabis, and the Fourth of July.
Though the study cannot designate alcohol as the primary cause of SIDS, the researchers remain concerned about this evidence.
If new parents feel they have a drinking problem, they may want to seek substance abuse help.
