Mon, 07 Mar 2011 8:35p.m.
The tragic death of a three-month-old baby is yet another example of the dangers of putting a baby to sleep on its stomach, Wellington's coroner says.
Ian Smith released his findings today into the death of Hamiora James Te Aramakutu, who died at his Upper Hutt home last July 17.
Mr Smith said the baby had died suddenly and unexpectedly in an unsafe sleeping environment. He said the cause of death was undetermined but he could not rule out the possibility of accidental asphyxia.
The coroner cited police evidence which said the baby was always placed on his stomach when he was put to bed.
A pathologist had concluded the baby died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome after sleeping in the prone position - on his stomach - in his cot.
Mr Smith said wanted to reiterate the 2008 findings of Coroner Garry Evans, who reviewed expert evidence in the sudden deaths of seven infants.
Mr Evans had called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen guidelines on safe sleeping practices for newborn babies after his investigation.
He found four of the babies died of accidental asphyxia while the other three died suddenly and unexpectedly of undetermined causes.
In four cases the babies died while sharing a bed with one or more parent.
Mr Evans said then the Coroner's Court was concerned and saddened by each case but the findings and recommendations could prevent further deaths.
Mr Smith said he echoed Mr Evans' findings and urged parents to place their baby in a safe sleeping position in a smoke-free environment.
Current ministry safe sleeping guidelines advise parents and caregivers to sleep babies on their backs in a cot or bassinet.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Coroner-urges-parents-to-put-babies-in-safe-sleeping-position/tabid/423/articleID/201267/Default.aspx
Ian Smith released his findings today into the death of Hamiora James Te Aramakutu, who died at his Upper Hutt home last July 17.
Mr Smith said the baby had died suddenly and unexpectedly in an unsafe sleeping environment. He said the cause of death was undetermined but he could not rule out the possibility of accidental asphyxia.
The coroner cited police evidence which said the baby was always placed on his stomach when he was put to bed.
A pathologist had concluded the baby died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome after sleeping in the prone position - on his stomach - in his cot.
Mr Smith said wanted to reiterate the 2008 findings of Coroner Garry Evans, who reviewed expert evidence in the sudden deaths of seven infants.
Mr Evans had called on the Ministry of Health to strengthen guidelines on safe sleeping practices for newborn babies after his investigation.
He found four of the babies died of accidental asphyxia while the other three died suddenly and unexpectedly of undetermined causes.
In four cases the babies died while sharing a bed with one or more parent.
Mr Evans said then the Coroner's Court was concerned and saddened by each case but the findings and recommendations could prevent further deaths.
Mr Smith said he echoed Mr Evans' findings and urged parents to place their baby in a safe sleeping position in a smoke-free environment.
Current ministry safe sleeping guidelines advise parents and caregivers to sleep babies on their backs in a cot or bassinet.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Coroner-urges-parents-to-put-babies-in-safe-sleeping-position/tabid/423/articleID/201267/Default.aspx
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