Infant Deaths in Inclined Sleepers

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends infants be placed on their backs on firm, flat surfaces for sleep. In line with these recommendations, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recalled inclined sleepers in 2019 and again in 2023 after reports of associated sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs).

In a new study, to better characterize affected infants and caregiving environments, U.S. researchers reviewed 158 inclined sleeper–related SUID cases occurring between 2009 and 2023 using national pediatric fatality data. Roughly 20% of the infants were born preterm, 60% were male, and 50% were non-Hispanic white.