NOTE FROM ISIDA's SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Register's third Report highlights a number of factors which appear to be important in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, when reading this report, it is important to bear in mind that in the light of current information available, no one factor on its own can be directly linked to the death of an individual infant. Furthermore, it is ill advised to interpret data which is based on small numbers.

Summary of Main Findings.

1. The infant mortality rate for 1995 (6.3 1,000 live births) is higher than the 1994 rate.

2. The SIDS rate for 1995 was 14% lower than the rate in 1994 (0.7 V 0.8 1,000 live births). However, the 1996 rate (provisional) of 0.9 1,000 live births is higher than the 1995 rate. Since the establishment of the SIDS Register in 1992 the rate has fallen by 36% (1.1 1,000 in 1992 to 0.7 1,000 in 1995). The rate from 1988 to 1995 represents a 70% drop (2.3 V 0.7 1,000).

3. SIDS remains a leading cause of death in babies aged four weeks to one year. Based on the Central Statistics Office (CSO) infant mortality figures for 1994, over a third (37%) of all deaths in this age group were due to SIDS.

4. For four consecutive years (1992 - 1995), parental smoking, unemployment and medical card status were evident in greater proportions among SIDS families than national average figures.

5. The change in the seasonal characteristic of SIDS (absence of winter peak) noted in 1993 and 1994 is upheld in 1995. However, 1996 figures suggest a reversal back to the winter peak trend may be emerging.

6. Collection of national case control data commenced in 1994, continued in 1995 and is ongoing.