Yesterday the Child Death Review Team released their report of Safer Sleeping and investigation into Cot Deaths and has found known risk factors in 90% of the sudden unexpected death of an infant (SUDI) that occurred in the neonatal period (the first 28 days after birth
The Team’s report, A preliminary investigation of neonatal SUDI in NSW 1996-2008: opportunities for prevention, examines 123 infants who died suddenly and unexpectedly between 1996-2008. The research found at least one SUDI risk factor in the baby’s sleeping environment for the neonatal age group:
- 57% were placed for sleep in a position other than on their back
- 73% had smoking evident in their household or during pregnancy
- 60% were in unsafe sleep environments (such as co-sleeping), with 36% of these infants also being exposed to tobacco smoke.
Alot of effort has gone into reducing SIDS and it seems alot of the messages are being lost on new parents, many of thhese causes are so easy to eliminate and prevent any hard to your child, so please take notew of these finding and protect our children.
other interesting facts include :
- There were 3,727 deaths that occurred in the neonatal period (<28 days of life) over the period 1996-2008; 123 (3.3%) of these deaths were sudden and unexpected (SUD)
- Eighty-one per cent of the neonates died after being placed for sleep
the report can be found at kids.nws.gove.au