Sleep Objects and Wedging Highlighted as Common Causes of Infant Death

In more than 40% of accidental suffocations or strangulations in bed, infants were wedged — often between a mattress and wall or on a sofa.

To examine the role that different sleep objects play in accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (ASSB), researchers reviewed over 1700 cases recorded in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission databases between 2000 and 2012.

Infants' mean age at death was 3.8 months, and 67% were aged ≤4 months. Sleep location was most often a crib or bassinet (31%), followed by an adult bed (23%) and a sofa or chair (19%). The documented position in which the infant was found was most commonly wedged (43%), followed by on top of an object (26%) and covered (8%). Associated sleep objects (i.e., objects directly implicated in death or found in physical contact with the infant) included pillows (25%), mattresses (21%), blankets (13%), and walls (12%)…

Reviewing Author

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Jenny Radesky, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMelissa & Doug Toys (Consultant and Board of Directors)

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute for Child Health and Development; National Institutes of Health

Sleep Objects and Wedging Highlighted as Common Causes of Infant Death

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Reviewing Author