Comment on 2005 ONS cot death figures 

30 August 2006

Why do babies die suddenly and unexpectedly?
Response from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths to the latest figures for sudden unexpected deaths in infancy released by the Office for National Statistics.

Latest figures released today show that 300 babies under the age of one year died suddenly and unexpectedly for no apparent reason in the UK in 2005 . This marks a 16% fall compared with the previous year’s figures. This is part of a continuing trend - numbers of cot deaths have fallen from 377 to 300 since 2001 (a fall of 25.7%) and the cot death rate from 0.563 to 0.415 per 1,000 live births, a fall of 25.3%. However there has been no fall in the total infant or post neonatal infant mortality rate. This suggests that better investigation is defining the cause of death in more babies. But the same numbers of babies are dying and this needs further enquiry.

While this is very welcome news, more research is needed to explain these deaths and to give us more ways to reduce the risk of cot death.

Dr Richard Wilson, paediatrician and FSID trustee said:
“Every year 300 apparently healthy babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK. If the same number of people were involved annually in a fatal plane or train crash there would be outrage and investigations.

Research has revealed some of the ways to reduce the risk of cot death but the causes of most of these tragedies remain unknown. Bereaved parents ask us the all-consuming question of ‘why did my baby die?’ and they deserve answers. With better investigations into baby deaths, answers are found. The advice to reduce the risk of cot deaths has cut deaths by 75% and we need to look at ways of preventing other sudden infant deaths.

Parents need to know how to protect their baby from cot death. Key messages and more can be found in our BabyZone booklet available by calling FSID’s Helpline on 020 7233 2090”.


Notes to editors:

1.  FSID is the UK’s leading baby charity working to prevent sudden infant deaths and promote baby health. FSID funds research (over £9 million to date), 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.  People can make a donation to fund new research projects by calling FSID’s fundraising hotline on 020 7222 8003.

3.  Interviews should be possible with FSID representatives and cot death parents.

Media enquiries:

Sarah Kenyon, Communications manager
020 7227 5212 / 020 7222 8001 / 07981 899 827

Stacey Kerr, Communications officer
020 7227 5210 / 020 7222 8001

 

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