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Infant deaths in slings

European Journal of Pediatrics volume 173, pages 1659–1661 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

Although the incidence of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) decreased markedly after campaigns to promote supine positioning during sleeping, it has remained unchanged over the last decade. Epidemiological data suggest a role for new causes such as suffocation, asphyxia, and entrapment. Health authorities in several countries have issued warnings about slings used to carry infants. However, few reports of infant deaths in slings have been published in medical journals. Our paediatric intensive care unit has admitted two infants who experienced cardiorespiratory arrest while carried in a sling. Diagnostic investigations including a post-mortem examination established asphyxia as the mechanism of death. In conclusion, baby slings may carry a risk of SUDI, either by compression of the baby into a forward-flexed position or by direct suffocation. European recommendations for the cautious use of baby slings should be disseminated to families and professionals involved in caring for infants, as done recently in Australia, Canada, and the USA.

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Abbreviations

HBV:

hepatitis B virus

PICU:

paediatric intensive care unit

SUDI:

sudden unexpected death in infancy

WG:

weeks of gestation

References

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Surgical Paediatric High Dependency Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48 Boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France

    Chrystèle Madre

  2. Forensic Pathology Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Garches, France

    Caroline Rambaud

  3. Versailles St. Quentin University, Versailles, France

    Caroline Rambaud

  4. Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, AP-HP, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48 boulevard Sérurier, 75019, Paris, France

    David Avran, Charlotte Michot, Philippe Sachs & Stéphane Dauger

  5. Faculté de Médecine Denis Diderot, Université Paris 7, IFR02, Paris, France

    Stéphane Dauger

Authors
  1. Chrystèle Madre
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  2. Caroline Rambaud
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  3. David Avran
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  4. Charlotte Michot
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  5. Philippe Sachs
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  6. Stéphane Dauger
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stéphane Dauger.

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Cite this article

Madre, C., Rambaud, C., Avran, D. et al. Infant deaths in slings. Eur J Pediatr 173, 1659–1661 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2238-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2238-6

Keywords

  • Sudden infant death syndrome
  • Suffocation
  • Paediatric intensive care
  • Baby carrying system
  • Post-mortem examination