Computational simulation of accumulation of expired air in the infant cot

Accumulation and re-breathing of CO2 in expired air has been suggested as one possible explanation for the strong association between prone sleeping position and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This preliminary study applying a modern computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program to simulate the aerodynamics in an infant cot supports the idea that accumulation of expired air may occur in the prone position. The literature dealing with the potential association between re-breathing of accumulated CO2 and SIDS is briefly reviewed.