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Coroner raises concerns over baby slings after boy suffocates Coroner raises concerns over baby slings after boy suffocates
(5 months later)
The death of a baby who suffocated in a sling has prompted a coroner to raise concerns about their safety.The death of a baby who suffocated in a sling has prompted a coroner to raise concerns about their safety.
Eric Matthews was 36 days old when he died on 1 January at Great Ormond Street hospital in London from a fatal hypoxic brain injury. The coroner ruled that the death was caused by the baby being carried in a fabric sling during a 10-minute walk on Christmas Eve.Eric Matthews was 36 days old when he died on 1 January at Great Ormond Street hospital in London from a fatal hypoxic brain injury. The coroner ruled that the death was caused by the baby being carried in a fabric sling during a 10-minute walk on Christmas Eve.
The paediatric pathologist Dr Mary Malone, who carried out a postmortem on The paediatric pathologist Dr Mary Malone, who carried out a postmortem on the baby, said that death in a sling usually occurred because the position of the infant inside it led to asphyxiation.
the baby, said that death in a sling usually occurred because the position Malone said she felt compelled to raise awareness of the potential dangers that slings could pose to babies after discovering there had been at least six related deaths in the UK and 16 in the US and Canada. The cases prompted the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to advise caution to parents using slings for babies younger than four months.
of the infant inside it led to asphyxiation.
Malone said she felt compelled to raise awareness of the
potential dangers that slings could pose to babies after discovering there had been at least
six related deaths in the UK and 16 in the US and Canada. The cases prompted the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to
advise caution to parents using slings
for babies younger than four months.
The coroner, Dr Richard Brittain, recorded a verdict that said: "Eric Matthews died from the consequences of a cardiac arrest which on the balance of probabilities resulted from asphyxia whilst being carried in a sling. There is nothing to suggest that the use of the sling was inappropriate or incorrect.”The coroner, Dr Richard Brittain, recorded a verdict that said: "Eric Matthews died from the consequences of a cardiac arrest which on the balance of probabilities resulted from asphyxia whilst being carried in a sling. There is nothing to suggest that the use of the sling was inappropriate or incorrect.”
The coroner made an official prevention of future deaths report on the danger of baby slings, which he requested be sent The coroner made an official prevention of future deaths report on the danger of baby slings, which he requested be sent to Dr Rosemary Scott, a senior pathologist at University College hospital. Scott contacted Malone because she was investigating the potential of a study on sling deaths a few years ago. She has since found completing the study unfeasible and declined to comment.
to Dr Rosemary Scott, a senior pathologist at University College hospital. Scott contacted Malone because she was investigating the potential of a study on sling Eric's mother, Marriane Matthews, said at the inquest that all the baby books she had read told her a fabric sling, which held him against her breast, was the safest place for her child.
deaths a few years ago. She has since found
completing the study unfeasible and declined to comment.
Eric's mother, Marriane Matthews, said at the inquest that all the baby books she had read told
her a fabric sling, which held him against her breast, was the safest
place for her child.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) provides guidance that states suffocation can occur in two ways.The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) provides guidance that states suffocation can occur in two ways.
"A sling's fabric can press against a baby's nose and mouth, blocking "A sling's fabric can press against a baby's nose and mouth, blocking the baby's airways and causing suffocation. Secondly, there are risks when softer slings are used if the baby is cradled in a curved position, nestling below the parent's chest or near their stomach. Babies do not have strong neck control, which means that their heads are more likely to flop forward, which can restrict their ability to breathe."
the Sheila Merrill, public health adviser at the RoSPA, said: "We advocate using a carrier that keeps the newborn baby solidly against the parent's body, in an upright position. Parents should ensure that they keep their baby's chin off their chest, keeping the airways clear for breathing."
baby's airways and causing suffocation. Child death overview panels at local authorities are responsible for reviewing information on all child deaths. However, this information remains confidential and although the Office for National Statistics publishes data on child mortalities, the RoSPA says this does not contain the details it requires to identify the associated risks.
Secondly, there are risks when softer slings are used if the baby is
cradled in a curved
position, nestling below the parent's chest or near their
stomach. Babies do not have strong neck control, which means that
their heads are more likely to flop forward, which can restrict their
ability to breathe."
Sheila Merrill, public health adviser at the RoSPA, said: "We advocate using a carrier that keeps the newborn baby solidly
against the parent's body, in an upright position. Parents should ensure that they keep their baby's chin off their chest,
keeping the airways clear for breathing."
Child death overview panels at local authorities are responsible for reviewing information on all child deaths. However, this information remains confidential and although the Office for National Statistics publishes data on child mortalities, the RoSPA says this does not contain the details it requires to identify the associated risks.
10,000 baby slings were recalled in Britain in 2010 after they were linked to the deaths of three American babies. The baby care company Infantino warned parents to stop using its SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo models after an investigation by US safety officials.10,000 baby slings were recalled in Britain in 2010 after they were linked to the deaths of three American babies. The baby care company Infantino warned parents to stop using its SlingRider and Wendy Bellissimo models after an investigation by US safety officials.
The RoSPA said it was not aware of any deaths related to babies travelling in prams. It said it was not calling for a ban or discouraging parents from using slings, which it says have become increasingly popular.The RoSPA said it was not aware of any deaths related to babies travelling in prams. It said it was not calling for a ban or discouraging parents from using slings, which it says have become increasingly popular.
The consumer magazine Which? says there are advantages to using slings, such as helping parents to bond with their child, easing discomfort and providing convenience for the parent. The consumer magazine Which? says there are advantages to using slings, such as helping parents to bond with their child, easing discomfort and providing convenience for the parent.
Safety guidelines first published by the UK Consortium of Sling Manufacturers and Retailers include a five-point checklist, known as TICKS, for parents using slings:Safety guidelines first published by the UK Consortium of Sling Manufacturers and Retailers include a five-point checklist, known as TICKS, for parents using slings: