From ANDREW HOLDER
I was extremely worried by the article ‘Prizewinning monitor could cut
cot deaths’ (Technology, 13 February).
It is becoming widely accepted that apnoea (breathing) monitors do not
prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and it is irresponsible to suggest
they do. They may have limited use in the care of SIDS siblings but only
for parents who have been trained in resuscitation techniques and only under
the care and supervision of paediatricians and health visitors.
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID), the main charitable
body for SIDS research, does not condone widespread use of such monitors
and the idea that a monitor will be commercialised and sold cheaply is appalling.
Detecting lack of movement for 15 seconds is too simplistic and is no safeguard.
Several babies have died while wearing these monitors.
Apnoea monitors have many drawbacks in the home environment. They may
even be counterproductive, as parents will sometimes become too reliant
on the monitor and may miss the ordinary signs of ill health which can
be a vital early warning.
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Young babies will often have prolonged apnoeic pauses. These lead to
frequent false alarms which can raise the anxiety level of the parents substantially.
These monitors will also not work when a baby is moving, such as in
a car or buggy.
Since my own son died in the car from SIDS seven years ago, I have had
the good fortune to work closely on the design of monitoring equipment with
Professor David Southall at Stoke-on-Trent. His group monitors apnoea, but
only in addition to other signals such as ECG, oxygen saturation, pulse
waveform and nasal airflow. The monitors are also not for general sale.
We are acutely aware of the traumatic effects of losing a baby and realise
that parents will often seek the comfort of a monitor for siblings. Please
put the record straight and help to dispel the myth that breathing monitors
prevent cot deaths.
Andrew Holder Research Monitoring Systems Salisbury, Wiltshire
