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U-Shaped Pillows and Sleep-Related Infant Deaths, United States, 2004-2015

Carri Cottengim1,2, Sharyn E Parks3, Alexa B Erck Lambert4

  • 1Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. ccottengim@cdc.gov.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|December 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

U-shaped pillows in infant sleep environments are associated with suffocation deaths, particularly in infants under six months. Healthcare providers should advise caregivers on safe sleep practices and product warnings.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Safety
  • Sleep Environment Hazards
  • Infant Mortality

Background:

  • U-shaped pillows are common infant sleep products.
  • Previous research on their safety is limited.
  • Understanding associated risks is crucial for infant well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To document infant fatalities linked to u-shaped pillows.
  • To analyze the circumstances of explained suffocation deaths involving these pillows.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 141 infant deaths (2004-2015) from the US National Fatality Review Case Reporting System.
  • Inclusion criteria: u-shaped pillows present in the infant's sleep environment.

Main Results:

  • Most affected infants were younger than 6 months (92%) and male (58%).
  • Nine explained suffocation deaths were identified.
  • Four deaths involved pillow airway obstruction; five involved suffocation after rolling off the pillow.

Conclusions:

  • Infant deaths associated with u-shaped pillows, though infrequent, do occur.
  • Healthcare providers should emphasize caregiver adherence to product safety guidelines.
  • Educating caregivers on safe sleep practices and product warnings is essential.
Abstract

Keywords:
NFR-CRS: National Fatality Review Case Reporting SystemSIDS: sudden infant death syndromeSUID: sudden unexpected infant deathSuffocation

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