Using sitting devices for routine sleep puts infants at risk.

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Using sitting devices for routine sleep puts infants at risk.

Sleep-related death is the leading case of postneonatal infant mortality. In 2016 the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its recommendations for creating a safe infant sleep environment. Recently, there have been reports of infant deaths in sitting devices (e.g., car safety seats, strollers, bouncers) that are intended for transportation, feeding, or play. Using data from the National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention from 2004 to 2014, researchers studied the circumstances associated with infant death in sitting devices.

Of 11,779 sleep-related infant deaths reported, 3% occurred in sitting devices. Of these, 63% occurred in car seats, 35% in bouncers, swings, and other sitting devices, and 2% in strollers. The sitting device was not being used as directed in 63% of the deaths. Fewer than 10% of deaths in car seats occurred in infants being properly transported. At least one risk factor was identified in 82% of the deaths. The most common risk factor was the supervising person being asleep. After adjusting for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, deaths in sitting devices were twice as likely to occur during nonparental than parental supervision. Most infants (64%) died in their homes.

by: Louis M. Bell, MD

link: https://www.jwatch.org/na49208/2019/05/29/infant-deaths-car-safety-seats-and-strollers?query=etoc_jwpeds&jwd=000013260742&jspc=MPD