Comment on 2004 ONS cot death figures 

25 August 2005

Why do babies die suddenly and unexpectedly?
Response from the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths to the latest figures for sudden unexpected deaths released by the Office for National Statistics.

Latest figures released today show that 313 babies died suddenly and unexpectedly for no apparent reason in the UK in 2004 . This marks a 12.6% fall compared with the previous year’s figures. While this is very welcome news, more research is needed to explain these deaths and to give us more ways to reduce the risk of cot death.

Joyce Epstein, Director of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths said:
“Every year over 300 apparently healthy babies die suddenly and unexpectedly in the UK. If the same number of people were involved annually in a fatal plane or train crash there would be outrage and investigations.

“Research has revealed some of the ways to reduce the risk of cot death but the causes of these tragedies remain unknown. Bereaved parents ask us the all-consuming question of ‘why did my baby die?’ and they deserve answers. It does not seem enough to say that we just do not know. It is essential to fund more research to unravel the cot death mystery and to save tiny lives.

“Parents need to know how to protect their baby from cot death. Babies should sleep on the back in a cot by the parents’ bed, be kept smoke- free and not get too hot. These key messages and more can be found in our BabyZone booklet available by calling 0870 787 0885”.

Notes to editors:

1. Please see the attached fact sheet ‘Cot death facts & figures’

2. FSID is the UK’s leading baby charity working to prevent sudden infant deaths and promote baby health. FSID funds research (nearly £9 million to date), promotes health advice to parents and professionals and supports bereaved families. FSID is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and is the principle funder of research in the UK.

3. People can make a donation to fund new research projects by calling FSID’s fundraising hotline on 0870 443 6814.

4. Interviews should be possible with FSID representatives and cot death parents.

Media enquiries:

Sarah Kenyon, Communications manager
0870 787 0726 / 0870 787 0885 / 07981 899 827

 

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