Suspended rocking cradles, positional asphyxia, and sudden infant death
J. Ackerman and E. Gilbert-Barness
Department of Pathology, University of South Florida, Tampa, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To describe the risk of unexpected death in infants who are
placed in suspended rocking cardles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ten cases of
sudden infant death and 5 cases of infant asphyxia with successful
resuscitation reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission were
analyzed. The death scene investigation reports and autopsy material were
made available for evaluation. All 15 cases implicated a suspended
head-to-toe rocking cradle. RESULTS: Infants were aged 3 months or younger
and were found in the facedown prone position when discovered. The cradle
was tilted at greater than 5 degrees, and the head was wedged at one end of
the cradle. A locking pin was not used in 14 cases. Ten of the 15 infants
died. The autopsy reports listed sudden infant death syndrome as the cause
of death. CONCLUSIONS: Suspended rocking cradles represent a potentially
lethal sleeping environment and should not be used without a locking pin in
place. Infants should be placed in the supine position for sleep.
