Bassinet Use and Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy
Received 4 January 2008; received in revised form 4 April 2008; accepted 15 April 2008. published online 26 June 2008.
Refers to article:
Infant Sleep Location: Associated Maternal and Infant Characteristics with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Prevention Recommendations
, 26 June 2008
Linda Y. Fu, Eve R. Colson, Michael J. Corwin, Rachel Y. Moon
The Journal of Pediatrics
October 2008 (Vol. 153, Issue 4, Pages 503-508) Abstract |
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Objective
To analyze risk factors in infants who die suddenly and unexpectedly in bassinets.
Study design
A retrospective review of all deaths of infants involving bassinets reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) between 1990 and 2004.
Results
For the 53 deaths analyzed, the mean age at death was 84 days. The cause of death was recorded as anoxia, asphyxiation, or suffocation in 85% and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in 9.4%. In terms of position, 37% were placed prone for sleep, and 50% were prone when found dead. Additional items in the bassinet, including soft bedding, were noted in 74% of cases. Specific mechanical problems with the bassinets were noted in 17% of cases.
Conclusions
The risk of sudden unexpected death in infants who sleep in bassinets can be reduced by following American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines, including positioning infants supine and avoiding soft bedding in bassinets. In addition, parents must ensure that the bassinet is mechanically sound and that no objects that can lead to suffocation are in or near the bassinet.
aPediatric Residency Program, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
bGoldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
cDepartment of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC
Reprint requests: Rachel Y. Moon, MD, Goldberg Center for Community Pediatric Health, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20010
Dr Moon receives salary support from the National Institutes of Health (grants MD000165-03 and K24RR23681-01A1). No honorarium, grant, or other form of payment was provided to anyone involved in the production of this manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.
ABSTRACT