While instances of Sids have decreased considerably in Ireland over the last 30 years, it remains the second leading cause of death for newborn babies in the first six weeks of life. The HSE noted that Sids accounted for 27% of deaths of babies in the postpartum period between 2019 and 2021. Although there have been fewer than 23 deaths from Sids nationally each year since 2007, the issue remains prominent in newborn mortality.
Socioeconomic inequalities have long been a feature of Sids epidemiology globally and have been documented in Ireland. The child health team is currently exploring datasets available to further investigate whether these socioeconomic inequalities persist and whether Sids disproportionately affects infants from marginalised families living in Ireland.
The HSE has confirmed it is at the preliminary stages of trying to understand if babies in marginalised homes are at greater risk of Sids. Families living in direct provision centres and emergency accommodation would be considered marginalised and would be included in their studies.
Public health experts have consistently warned that living in emergency accommodation poses a risk to children's health. These conditions can exacerbate existing vulnerabilities, particularly in regards to the risk factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome.
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