All articles tagged with #infant deaths
Babies in Gaza are dying from hypothermia and preventable conditions due to a blockade and restricted aid, with over two million Palestinians suffering from harsh winter conditions, inadequate shelter, and ongoing Israeli attacks, highlighting the urgent need to lift restrictions and provide humanitarian assistance.
At least three infant deaths from congenital syphilis have been reported in New York this year, highlighting a rising national trend in syphilis cases and emphasizing the importance of early testing and treatment during pregnancy to prevent severe health complications and fatalities.
Three infant deaths in New York have been linked to congenital syphilis, a preventable infection transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. The state urges pregnant women to get tested, with mandatory screening during pregnancy, as cases nationwide continue to rise sharply, highlighting the importance of early detection and treatment with penicillin.
The NYDOH warns of rising congenital syphilis cases and infant deaths in New York, highlighting the importance of early screening and treatment during pregnancy to prevent severe health outcomes and fatalities associated with the disease, which is largely preventable with proper healthcare access.
Three senior leaders at the UK hospital where nurse Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering seven babies have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter as part of an expanded corporate manslaughter investigation, focusing on leadership decisions during the infant deaths; Letby is serving life sentences for her crimes, while ongoing inquiries and legal reviews continue to scrutinize the case and hospital practices.
A devastating fire in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India, resulted in the deaths of 10 newborns and injuries to 16 others. The fire, which spread rapidly through the ward, has been attributed to safety lapses, including expired fire extinguishers and non-functional alarms. Authorities are investigating the incident, and the state government has promised support for the victims' families and accountability for those responsible. The tragedy highlights ongoing issues with fire safety compliance in India.
A recent study by the CDC found that nearly 70% of infant deaths were due to co-sleeping, with 59.5% of infants who died suddenly sleeping with someone else at the time. The study, which looked at over 7,500 sudden unexpected infant deaths, revealed that soft bedding and sharing a bed with an adult were common factors. Dr. Marc Siegel emphasized the dangers of unsafe sleep habits and stressed the importance of firm sleep surfaces and avoiding loose bedding and soft items in the child's sleep space. The American Academy of Pediatrics provided specific guidelines for safe sleeping, including placing infants on their backs in a dedicated sleep space and avoiding smoking.
Cases of congenital syphilis have been rising by double-digit percentages annually since 2018, with 72 reported cases and 9 infant deaths in 2023 in North Carolina alone. National trends show a 183 percent surge in cases over the past five years, prompting an "urgent need" for action according to the CDC. The disease poses serious risks to infants but can be effectively treated with antibiotics, highlighting the potential preventability of these deaths. Immediate action is crucial to mitigate the impact on maternal and child health.
Disturbing video footage shows decomposing bodies of infants, some still connected to hospital machines, in the ICU of Al-Nasr hospital in Gaza. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear, but hospital staff claim they were forced to evacuate by Israeli forces and were unable to safely move the infants. The IDF denies responsibility and accuses Hamas of using hospitals for military purposes. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) states it was not involved in any evacuations due to the security situation. The video has sparked outrage and calls for independent investigations into the incident.
Two women running a daycare in California have been arrested and charged with felony child endangerment resulting in death and criminal negligence after two toddlers drowned in a pool at the facility. The daycare, called Happy Happy Daycare, had four children in its care at the time of the incident, with a fifth about to be dropped off. The owner, Nina Fathizadeh, had left the children unsupervised in a backyard play area next to a pool that had been left accessible due to a gate being propped open. The two women could face up to 16 years in prison if convicted.
Twelve infants have died in a single day at a hospital in Maharashtra, India, sparking accusations of negligence against the state government and hospital authorities. The infants were among 24 deaths recorded at the Shankarrao Chavan Government Hospital in Nanded district. The hospital's neo-natal unit was overcrowded, with multiple babies in one incubator designed for one. The Maharashtra government has launched an inquiry into the deaths, while opposition politicians criticize the government for its alleged negligence. India's public healthcare system is under-equipped and suffers from a lack of staff and equipment. This is the second incident of multiple deaths in Maharashtra in recent months.
Staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have recommended new safety rules for infant rockers after linking the popular product to 11 deaths and 88 injuries from 2011 to 2022. The proposed rules aim to prevent suffocation by making rockers firmer and flatter, requiring stability and safety tests, and addressing strangulation risks. The CPSC's four commissioners will meet on October 4 to decide whether to adopt the recommendations. The agency estimates that nearly 570,000 infant rockers are sold per year, and manufacturers could face redesign costs of around $80,000 per model. Some manufacturers have defended their rockers' safety, while others have expressed support for federal safety rules.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously voted to advance a proposal for the first federal safety requirements for nursing pillows, following dozens of infant deaths. The proposed changes include design modifications and more visible warning labels to discourage using nursing pillows for sleep. The pillows will need to be firm enough to reduce suffocation risks and have a wide curve to avoid restricting infants' head movements. Straps to secure babies will be prohibited. The proposal will be open for public comment for 60 days before finalization. The CPSC's move comes after an NBC News investigation revealed at least 162 infant deaths related to nursing pillows since 2007.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff is recommending the implementation of federal safety requirements for nursing pillows following an investigation that linked them to over 100 infant deaths. The proposed guidelines include making the pillows firm enough to prevent suffocation, ensuring wide openings to avoid restricting a baby's head movements, and adding more prominent warning labels to discourage unsupervised use for sleeping. The staff also suggests removing straps that may give caregivers a false sense of safety. CPSC commissioners will meet in September to decide whether to proceed with the proposal, allowing public feedback before finalization.
Recalled baby products linked to over 100 infant deaths are still being sold on Facebook Marketplace despite repeated requests from federal regulators to remove them, according to four members of Congress. The lawmakers sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, stating that the Boppy lounger and Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play, both recalled items, are among the products still available on the platform. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has sent about 1,000 removal requests per month to Meta since 2022, but the products continue to appear for sale. The lawmakers criticized Meta for not taking proactive measures to prevent these postings and expressed concern for the safety of users and their children. Meta has not yet responded to the letter.