Health Update: Cot deaths decline

Cherrill Hicks
Monday 11 January 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE fall in cot deaths - by more than a third between 1988 and 1991 - may be due to the disappearance of infant welfare clinics, rather than to advice that babies should be laid on their backs rather than their fronts. Doctors from the University's of Keele's Department of Paediatrics argue in the Lancet that the decline began before the campaign for a different sleeping position. They say that in the heyday of infant welfare clinics, up to 90 children, some with respiratory infections, could attend. With more family doctors now involved in child health and fewer infants mixing at clinics, there is less exposure to infection. Improved immunisation for whooping cough may also be a factor.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in