§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cot deaths there have been during 1994; and what examination is being given to any link between cot deaths and chemicals in mattresses.
§ Baroness CumberlegeThe figures on the number of cot deaths (also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS) in 1994 are not available. The latest available figures for England and Wales are 1992, when, of nearly 700,000 births, there were 493 deaths where SIDS was recorded as the sole cause of death and 531 deaths recorded as SIDS with a contributing factor. The 1993 figures are expected to be published on 15 December.
111WADr. Kenneth Calman, the Chief Medical Officer, has set up an expert group to steer further work by the department on cot deaths. The group will be chaired by Lady Limerick. Its terms of reference are:
- To review the findings of the report on "Sudden Infant Death Syndrome" (the "Turner Report", 1991) and any subsequent data on hypotheses
WA 112 linking antimony with unexplained deaths in infants; and to advise the CMO on what further studies should be undertaken to investigate postulated causal relationships between chemicals and cot deaths. The group has been asked to review the available material and to provide the department with advice as quickly as possible.