Child care practices and cot death in Hong Kong.

AIMS

To document child care practices in Hong Kong which has a very low SIDS rate of 0.3/1000 live births.

METHODS

Data were collected by interview and postal questionnaires using a protocol developed in southern New Zealand. 195 mothers were recruited at the Prince of Wales Hospital and 100 completed the study.

RESULTS

81% babies slept in the parents room. 32% shared a bed with parents but only a third were described as being "in direct contact". Only 9% of infants were still breast feeding by 4 weeks of age. 78% of babies slept on their backs, 18% on their sides and 3% on the fronts. Sheepskins were not used and 56/58 described underbedding as firm or moderately firm. At the time of birth only 3% of mothers smoked.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain SIDS risk factors (bedsharing, lack of breast feeding) are common in Hong Kong, whereas others (prone sleep position, soft underbedding, maternal smoking) appear uncommon.