Antimony and sudden infant death syndrome

Abstract

There are many theories about the cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 1 Kazoff M Kaufman F Sudden infant death syndrome—part II: etiologic theories. Acad Emergency Med. 1995; 2: 996-1000 Crossref PubMed Scopus (3) Google Scholar Richardson 2 Richardson BA Cot mattress biodeterioration and sudden infant death syndrome. Lancet. 1990; 335: 670 Abstract PubMed Scopus (53) Google Scholar linked SIDS to the generation of toxic gases from microbial degradation of antimony-containing flame-retardant compounds in cot mattresses and their covers. Subsequent studies were unable to support this theory. 3 Department of HealthSudden infant death syndrome. Report of the Expert Working Group enquiring into the hypothesis that toxic gases evolved from chemicals in cot mattress covers and cot mattresses are a cause of SIDS. HM Stationery Office, London1991 Google Scholar , 4 Warden J Expert group finds no evidence for cot death theory. BMJ. 1995; 311: 1593 Crossref PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar