Handsel Art

PRESS RELEASE

Date: 23 October 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact: J.R. Few at

(870) 427-1365 or email

handselart@marioncounty.com

Crib Death Linked to Maternal Smoking

New research from England has shown that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) may have an even greater link to parental smoking than previously thought. A report published in the journal Early Human Development suggests that 9 out of 10 mothers whose babies died from SIDS smoked during pregnancy. The study goes on to show that women who smoke are four times more likely to have a child die from SIDS.

Speaking on the Bristol University study, Professor Peter Fleming said, "What we have been trying to do is look at the whole impact of exposure, both before and after birth, to smoking and its adverse effects.”

The research also noted after birth a linear dose response to secondhand smoke increasing the risk of death rose exponentially for every hour babies were exposed to tobacco smoke.

SIDS deaths have declined in recent years partly due to efforts like the Arkansas Department of Health’s "Back to Sleep" campaign where parents are instructed to make sure that babies are put to sleep on their backs with no soft toys or loose bedding in the crib, and to not smoke around children.

Professor George Haycock, from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths said: "The figures show that maternal smoking is now the most important avoidable risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .

Mother and Infant Program Nurse for Marion County, Christy Halliday notes, “All too often I see my clients and their children having to carry the burden for tobacco.  If not SIDs then a cascade of health problems always follow in the smoking home."

The Arkansas News Bureau reports that in 2005, 65 Arkansas infants less than a year old died from SIDS or undetermined causes. Marion County has the highest ranking of smoking during pregnancy in the state with 38.7% according to the Arkansas Center for Health Statistics.

###