Effect of Pacifier Use in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Introduction Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is defined as -the sudden death of an infant less than 1 year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.1 A pacifier is defined as -an object that a baby is given to suck so that the baby feels comforted and stays quiet-.1 Pacifiers, colloquially known as -dummies-, -soothers-, -comforters-, and - artificial teats- in the English speaking world, are used widely to soothe or calm a distressed child.2 Pacifiers are also used to prevent the sucking of thumbs and other objects, and as an aid to weaning. Pacifier use is frequently associated with -non-nutritive sucking- in the medical literature. Methodology A hand search for the articles was made along with search over the internet by using the mESH terms -Sudden Infant Death Syndrome- -Pacifier- -Pacifier and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome- Out of the literature search made only 30 articles which matched the mESH terms were included in the review.