Slow-growing babies' cot death risk

Parents should monitor babies' weight

Babies who grow more slowly than expected are more likely to die of cot death, according to a study.

The study of 247 cot deaths found that low weight gain in the first few weeks of life was a key indicator of babies at an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, whatever their birth weight.

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Death (FSID), which part-funded the research, urged health workers to check babies' actual weight against the weight they should have reached when they are brought in for their normal six week check-up.

An FSID spokeswoman said: "We have known for some time that low weight babies are at higher risk, but now we know it's not just those babies, but also babies who fail to grow as fast as they should."

Reducing the risk

Place baby on its back to sleep

Do not smoke near baby

Do not let baby get too hot

Keep baby's head uncovered

Place baby at the foot of the cot to prevent wriggling down under the covers

Don't fall asleep on a sofa with baby

If baby is unwell, seek advice promptly

The study found that a quarter of cot death babies had been growing significantly more slowly than they should have, compared with a tenth of other babies.

Dr Sara Levene, FSID's medical adviser, said: "Poor weight gain can be an early signal that something is not right with a baby.

"While we would not want to unduly alarm parents, FSID encourages them to take full advantage of all the health checks available for their babies, including the one usually done at six weeks.

"In this way any potential problems can be identified.

"Health professionals should be aware that what matters is not just how much a baby does weigh, but how much they ought to weigh."

There are seven cot deaths each week on average - a total of 344 in 1998 - and the cause or causes are still not understood.

Cot death is the largest single category of deaths in babies over one month old.