Pediatrics - Do Pacifiers Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome? A Meta-analysis. (Hauck et al 2005)

A meta-analysis of 7 case-control studies looked at the association between SIDS and pacifier use.

Based on 4 studies that provided multivariate ORs controlling for a variety of factors including sleeping position, usual pacifier use was associated with a significant reduced risk of SIDS (Summary OR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.59�0.85]):

Pacifier use during last sleep (in cases) or reference sleep (in controls) showed a stronger and more consistent association with SIDS protection:


This meta-analysis is a basis for the American Academy of Pediatricians's new recommendations on SIDS protection, which encouraged pacifier use at nap time or bed time.

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