eLetters to:

ELECTRONIC ARTICLE: James S. Kemp, Benjamin Unger, Davida Wilkins, Rose M. Psara, Terrance L. Ledbetter, AD¶; Michael A. Graham, Mary Case, and Bradley T. Thach Unsafe Sleep Practices and an Analysis of Bedsharing Among Infants Dying Suddenly and Unexpectedly: Results of a Four-Year, Population-Based, Death-Scene Investigation Study of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Related Deaths Pediatrics 2000; 106: e41 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]

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eLetters published:

Drug, Alcohol consumption of parents found with deceased children

Karin H Cather   (21 September 2000)

no consideration of smoking, nor substance abuse

peter ehrhardt   (25 September 2000)

how many were breastfed?

Lyn Scazafabo   (26 September 2000)

correction to initial submission

Karin Cather   (13 June 2007)

Drug, Alcohol consumption of parents found with deceased children 21 September 2000
Karin H Cather, prosecutor Virginia State Bar Send letter to journal: Re: Drug, Alcohol consumption of parents found with deceased children karin_cather{at}hotmail.com Karin H Cather	To the extent possible, it would be interesting to determine the extent to which, in the cases where the child died while sleeping with a parent, the parent was impaired by drugs (even OTCs like Benadryl) or alcohol.
no consideration of smoking, nor substance abuse 25 September 2000
peter ehrhardt, consultant paediatrician Burnley GenHosp, UK Send letter to journal: Re: no consideration of smoking, nor substance abuse peter{at}ehrhardt.demon.co.uk peter ehrhardt	I found this article very interesting, containing, as it does, a wealth of information. I congratulate the authorities, and the authors, on their close and effective scrutiny of the deaths of these unfortunate babies and young children. My personal view is that the deaths of children over 2 years might have been omitted from the analysis. I wish to comment mainly, however, on substances which might have affected the survival - or not - of the children. It does seem probable that exhalation from smokers, even long after the last cigarette, is dangerous to babies. Similarly, it would seem reasonable to suggest that a parent under the influence of alcohol or of illicit drugs might not respond to his/her child as effectively as one not so affected. I do not think this article should be as definite as are the authors on the risks of bed sharing or cosleeping. Obviously, recommendations about firm surface and the supine position receive my support
how many were breastfed? 26 September 2000
Lyn Scazafabo, nurse Send letter to journal: Re: how many were breastfed? lscaz{at}hotmail.com Lyn Scazafabo	The one big flaw I see is that we have once again set up a barrier for the healthier behavior of breastfeeding. Assuming that sharing a bed is putting your infant at risk for SIDS does not speak to the population that breastfeeds and shares beds for years. I would like to see a study done with this population and what the outcomes are in reference to SIDS, suffocation, etc. I believe that you would find that they are much lower than your "cross section".
correction to initial submission 13 June 2007
Karin Cather, consultant self-employed Send letter to journal: Re: correction to initial submission karin_cather{at}Hotmail.com Karin Cather	The Virginia State Bar is the agency that licenses attorneys. At the time of my initial post, I was licensed by the Virginia State Bar. However, prosecutors do not work for the Virginia State Bar. Conflict of Interest: None declared