Can home monitoring reduce mortality in infants at increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome? A systematic review

Acta Paediatr. 2012 Jan;101(1):8-13. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02464.x. Epub 2011 Oct 10.

Abstract

Aim: To conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of home monitoring devices in the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Methods: Systematic literature review to June 30, 2010.

Results: Eleven unique studies were identified. Only one of these studies involved a comparison of home monitoring with a control intervention and so could be deemed level I evidence. The remaining studies constituted level III evidence.

Conclusions: There is no high-level evidence that home monitoring may be of use in preventing SIDS; further research is needed.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Apnea / diagnosis
  • Apnea / mortality
  • Bradycardia / diagnosis
  • Bradycardia / mortality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Home Nursing*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sudden Infant Death / prevention & control*