Archive: February 2008
Seasons for Growth
Abstract Submission Deadline
ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE APPROACHING!
Submit an abstract and register your participation at the conference before 23:00 on Friday 29 February 2008 to be considered for an oral or poster presentation.
Visit the web site to submit an abstract and register on line – additional information is on the site, also on the website you will find the latest information about the 10th SIDS International Conference to be held in Portsmouth , UK , 23 - 26 June 2008.
Hosted by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths on behalf of SIDS International and the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Infant Deaths (ISPID)
Herald - Safer Baby Car Seats
A simple foam insert designed by New Zealand medical researchers could help prevent babies from choking to death in their car seats.
The researchers, from the University of Auckland, Auckland City Hospital and the Cot Death Association, have found breathing problems are significantly reduced when infants are placed in a car seat with a foam insert, which helps their head lie upright in a natural position instead of slumping forward.
The problem affects infants to varying degrees, with a Canadian study attributing 10 out of around 400 deaths in infants in their first six months of life to this problem.
While there are no official New Zealand figures on this phenomenon, paediatrician Dr Shirley Tonkin from the Cot Death Association knows of at least four cases in the past 20 years.
"It's a very occasional thing, but we're concerned not just about them dying, but about them getting short of oxygen."
Dr Tonkin's initial research into the occurrence stemmed from cases she saw as a doctor.
"I was seeing babies referred to Starship who'd been found in various positions not breathing.
"When I talked to the mothers, it was obvious at least half of these had been in car seats when the parents found them.
"It only happens when you hold the body firmly back - when the baby's restrained as it has to be [in a car seat].
"Car seats are absolutely necessary for the safety of all small children, but the seat should be made as safe as possible for very young children."
The research team worked with Dunlop Foams to develop the foam insert, which holds the infant's body forward with a slot for the protuberant back of the head.
This allows the head to lie upright even when the baby falls asleep, keeping the baby's airways open.
"It's a simple anatomical correction really," said Dr Tonkin.
Fellow researcher Professor Alistair Gunn from Auckland University's department of physiology and paediatrics said babies had relatively bigger heads than adults, with the head sticking out behind the line of the back.
At the same time, they had short necks with less-developed muscles.
"Because standard infant car seats have flat backs, when an infant is properly strapped in place, the flat back of the seat pushes on the back of the head, which is bent forward, so that the chin is pressed against the chest. Because babies have very mobile jaws, the chin is easily pushed backward, constricting the airway."
The study monitored 20 healthy full-term babies for breathing and heart rate, nasal airflow and blood oxygen levels. They were restrained in car seats with and without the insert for 30 minutes each. The insert was found to reduce the number of breathing problems.
Auckland parents Amanda and Brendan Kuriger and their five-month old daughter Natalia were study participants. Natalia has been using the insert since birth.
It was an eye-opening experience for Mrs Kuriger, whose first child Michaela, 4, did not have the benefit of the insert.
"We tend to do a lot of travel down to Tauranga and Taranaki - that's five hours in a car, which is a long time for a baby to be in a position where their windpipe can be blocked off.
"It really is pleasing, and provides peace-of-mind."
The results are published in the medical journal Acta Paediatrica.
The inserts, sold under the name Happi, are available from Baby Factory and Para Rubber stores.
The researchers are looking to start a new study, monitoring the use of these inserts on babies over a longer period of time.
They are looking for volunteers with healthy, full-term babies under 5 days of age.
For more information, contact Dr Christine McIntosh on (09) 273-8976.
Article Written by Errol Kiong Printed by The Herald, February 4th.