Epidemiological aspects of sudden infant death syndrome in Leningrad: anthropometric findings in victims.

Some 155 victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) who were officially registered in Leningrad in 1983-1986 entered the study. Body weight and length at birth and at death were analysed. The highest relative risk for future occurrence of SIDS was associated, in the neonatal period, with proportionally decreased weight and length in respect to gestational age. The greatest relative risk of SIDS in postneonatal life was also associated with low weight and length, but weight lagged behind length. Infants who died from SIDS may be characterized as having evidence of intrauterine growth retardation present at birth, and which does not disappear postnatally.