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Accidental Bed Deaths in Infants due to Unsafe Sleeping Situations

Office of the Medical Examiner of Wayne County, 400 East Lafayette Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226

P.Z. Smialek

Michigan Medical-Legal Research and Educational Association, Inc., P.O. Box 327, Detroit, Michigan 48231

W.U. Spitz

Wayne State University, 400 East Lafayette Street, Detroit, Michigan 48226

Sixteen accidental deaths of infants occurred in Wayne County (Detroit) during 1974-1975 as a result of unsafe sleeping environments. Thirteen of these deaths resulted from different modes of asphyxia, two were due to falls, and one drowned. Differential diagnoses are pointed out.

It is estimated that over 600 infants die each year in the United States due to unsafe sleeping conditions. Despite the magnitude and importance of this problem, little has been provided to the public in the form of preventive education. Federal regulations, passed in 1974, control the manufacture of new cribs but do not affect the existing unsafe cribs.

Suggestions for the prevention of such fatal accidents are outlined, in cluding a safety check list for infant beds. The cooperation of all health professionals is required to educate the public of these dangers to their infants.

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