[Cigarette smoke as a risk factor of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)--assessment of knowledge and behavior of women].

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) means the sudden death of an infant which is unexpected by history and in which an examination of the death scene and a thorough postmortem examination fails to reveal an adequate cause of death. Etiology of this syndrome is unknown but many risk factors were identified; the most important and preventable risk factors are prone sleeping position and influence of tobacco smoke (both smoking by pregnant woman and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) near child's bed). The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of smoking among women (also during pregnancy) and exposure of neonates and infants to ETS, to establish what circumstances are likely to make smoking woman stop smoking and to examine women's knowledge concerning risk factors of SIDS (mainly influence of tobacco smoke). The study comprised 61 women, aged 24 to 47, among them 35 nurses and 26 women without any medical education. The average percentage of smoking women was near 25% but among nurses was up to 30%. The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy was 6%. We identified high risk of ETS influence among both women and their children. The most important cause of smoking cessation was pregnancy. Among arguments for smoking cessation the risk of SIDS takes an important place. Women's knowledge about risk factors of SIDS (among them influence of tobacco smoke) and activity of physicians and midwifes to educate women as for this risk factors are unsatisfactory.