Young Mums Cot Death Risk Higher 

28 August 2008

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, (FSID), the UK’s leading cot death charity, welcomed today’s report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), which shows a drop in cot deaths in 2006.

Although there was a marked reduction in deaths in the UK*, the report also reveals that the death rate was six times higher for babies of mums under 20 than older mothers**.This confirms the importance of FSID’s strategy, to target vulnerable young parents who are missing out on safe sleep advice, with devastating consequences.

Joyce Epstein, Director of FSID, said:

“Every year more than 300 apparently healthy babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK.

It is totally unacceptable that the highest cot death rate occurs in the most disadvantaged groups. We are urging all healthcare professionals to make sure that the known life-saving advice*** reaches them.”

 

Notes to editors:
*The ONS figures are for England and Wales; UK-wide, the figures show that in 2005 there were 355 deaths, and in 2006, 321 deaths for babies under one year of age. There were another 14 deaths in Scotland and Northern Ireland in babies over one year of age in 2006 but figures for older babies are not yet available for England and Wales.

** Figures for 2006
Under 20 - 58 infants died = 1.27 deaths per 1000 live births
35 and over - 31 infants died = 0.23 deaths per 1000 live births

*** How to Reduce the Risk

• Cut smoking in pregnancy – fathers too!
• Do not let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby.
• Place your baby on the back to sleep.
• Do not let your baby get too hot.
• Keep your baby’s head uncovered – place your baby with their feet to the foot of the cot, to prevent wriggling down under the covers.
• If your baby is unwell, seek medical advice promptly.
• The safest place for your baby to sleep is in a crib or cot in a room with you for the first six months.
• It’s especially dangerous for your baby to sleep in your bed if you or your partner:
• are smokers (even if you never smoke in bed or in the home)
• have been drinking alcohol
• take medication or drugs that make you drowsy
• feel very tired.
Or if your baby was born before 37 weeks or weighed less than 2.5kg or 5½ lbs at birth or is less than three months old
Watch out for accidents: there is also a risk that you might roll over in your sleep and suffocate your baby, or that your baby could get caught between the wall and the bed, or could roll out of an adult bed and be injured.
• Never sleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair.

1. FSID is the UK’s leading baby charity working to prevent sudden infant deaths and promote baby health. FSID funds research, promotes health advice to parents and professionals and supports bereaved families. FSID is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and is the principle funder of research in the UK.
2. FSID representatives and cot death parents are available for interview.
Media enquiries:

Louisa Mullan press and campaigns manager T: 020 7227 5212 E:louisa.mullan@fsid.org.uk

 

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