SIDS, smoking, and arousal thresholds: conclusions not supported by data
The investigation of the effect of maternal tobacco smoking on arousal in healthy infants1 concluded that maternal tobacco smoking increases arousal thresholds (i.e. impairing arousal) in infants of 2–3 months of age, during quiet sleep in the supine position. It is suggested that this may provide an explanation for the association between smoking and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
This conclusion is not supported by the data because the study also found that maternal tobacco smoking reduces arousal thresholds in 2–3 month old infants, in active sleep in the prone …
