Bed-Sharing Remains Greatest Risk Factor For Sleep-Related Infant Deaths

USA Today, NBC News, Reuters and others are discussing a study published in Pediatrics and led by Dr. Jeffrey Colvin, FAAP, pediatrician at Children's Mercy Hospital, which found that the predominant sleep environment risk factor for sleep-related deaths in young infants is sharing a bed or other sleep surface with an adult. The research called into question whether bed-sharing with an adult is ever safe.

"This study deepens our knowledge of the risk factors for sleep-related infant deaths, and we hope it will help improve the guidelines physicians and parents rely on to prevent these tragic deaths," said Colvin. "Parents should especially be warned about the dangers of bed-sharing, particularly in infants younger than four months."

USA Today: Risks vary with age for sleep-related infant deaths

Reuters Health/YAHOO News: Biggest threats for sleep-related infant death change with age: study

NBC News: Risky or loving? Co-sleeping study divides parents and doctors

FOX News: (via LiveScience): SIDS risk factors vary for older and younger babies

MSN.com: (via HealthDay News): Bed-sharing linked to SIDS

Science World Report: Parents who Share a Bed with their Baby Dramatically Increase SID Risk

DailyRX.com: Bedsharing and objects in bed increased risk of infant sleeping deaths the most

CBC News: Sleeping in bed with parents riskier for younger infants, MDs find

FOX 4 KC: Study identifies what increases SIDS risk