Is Apnoea Relevant to Cot Death?
Cot death is the sudden and unexpected death of a baby for no obvious reason. The actual causes of cot death, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) have not yet been established. It is not known whether a baby dies because breathing has stopped, or whether breathing has ceased because the baby is dead. There are some similarities between babies who have prolonged apnoeic attacks and cot death babies. For example, they occur in the same age range, are more frequent in boys than girls, and are more common in premature babies. Some babies with ALTEs have been shown to be at greater risk of sudden death. However, a recent UK study found that less than 4% of cot death babies had a history of apnoea. Is Help Available? The Foundation for the Study of Sudden Infant Deaths runs a 24-hour helpline on 020 7235 1721. This page contains basic information. If you are concerned about your health, you should consult a doctor.
