The 2000 Annual Report of the Regional Infant and Child Mortality Review Committee
Randall, B.; Wilson, A.
South Dakota Journal of Medicine 54(11): 447-448
2001
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-3317 PMID: 11725410 Document Number: 536047
The 2000 Annual Report of the Regional Infant and Child Mortality Review Committee (RICMRC) is presented. Our Regional (Minneahaha, Lincoln, Turner, and McCook Counties) incidence for Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) was much lower in 2000 than seen previously in 1999 and 1998. It remains to be seen if this is a true reduction in the incidence of SIDS in our Region or simply a random fluctuation in the SIDS rate amplified by the relatively small number of Regional infant deaths. We are hopeful that the emphasis on the Back-to-Sleep program has been in part contributory towards the reduction in the number of SIDS. Accidental infant deaths in our report however emphasizes that Back-to-Sleep implies not only supine sleeping but also sleeping in a safe sleeping environment, including the avoidance of soft bedding. RICMRC serves not only as a data collection committee, but also actively engages in community education programs directed towards providing a safer environment for our children.