BABY AND CHILDHOOD RESPIRATORY DISORDERS: COT DEATH

This occurs when a young baby (usually under the age of six months) which is apparently healthy, suddenly dies for no obvious reason while peacefully sleeping in its cot at night.

It is now more often referred to as ‘Sudden infant death syndrome’ or ‘Sudden and unexpected deaths in children syndrome’.

The cause is still in dispute, although many theories have been put forward, and each week medical journals offer more ideas. Viral infections, the baby drowning in its own carbon dioxide (seems more common if the cot sides are covered in), lack of vitamin E, immunodeficiency, immunization, diabetes, aerosols, the house dust mite sensitivity, cows’ milk that is too strong, cardiac changes, allergies, over-heating, pressure from a dummy, head colds, inhaled milk from a burp when the stomach is full, a reduction in the mucosal defence of the respiratory system, body cooling, and lack of magnesium have all been incriminated at some time. There may be many causes, and some or none of the above may finally prove to play a part.

At present, it is repeated, the cause is still unknown. It appears to be less common in breast-fed babies which may indicate that there is some deficiency in the baby’s resistance factors. Most autopsies do not offer any reason for the unexpected happening. They are often put down to a sudden unexplained infection. Most health departments are now carrying out fuller investigations in the hope that a cause and cure may be discovered.

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