Cot death

Abstract

Cot deaths occur in all countries and among all socio-economic groups. A careful autopsy will fail to demonstrate an adequate cause of death in the majority of infants. Cot deaths are most frequent between the ages of two and four months. Smoking and substance abuse during pregnancy increase the risk. Preventative measures include supine sleeping, avoidance of overheating and a smoke-free environment, and these have reduced the incidence to approximately one case in 2 000 births. The cause of cot deaths is still unknown.