Relation between Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Weather Factors in Japan

Abstract

We examined the relation between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) mortality and meteorological factors, specifically ambient temperature, sunshine duration, and atmospheric pressure, in Japan. Using both the data of daily SIDS mortality and meteorological factors for the years 1972 through 1995, we calculated the Mantel-Haenszel rate ratios of SIDS, controlling for selected covariates. We found an inverse association of SIDS mortality rate with daily mean temperature and daily mean sunshine duration. In conclusion, although this was an exploratory study, further investigation of the relation between SIDS and meteorological factors appears to be warranted.