Sudden unexpected death in infants in the Oxford record linkage area: Details of pregnancy, delivery, and abnormality in the infant

Abstract

170 infants residing in the Oxford Record Linkage Area and dying suddenly and unexpectedly between 1966 and 1970 were linked with the records concerning their delivery. For each of these cases, three controls were chosen, matched for maternal age, parity, social class, legitimacy and place and yr of delivery. The files of general hospital admissions were scanned to identify admissions to the mothers during the pregnancy, and admissions to the infants, for index cases and controls. Significant associations were found with short gestation, low birthweight, slight growth retardation, twin delivery, 'insult' during pregnancy, induction of labour, neonatal jaundice, congenital defects, subsequent hospital admission, and mth of birth. There was no association with breast feeding but some evidence for contact with other cases during hospital admission. (12 references)