Improper use of child restraint seats as a sleeping environment: Two cases of childhood death

Abstract

A child restraint seat (CRS) is designed to keep infants safe inside motor vehicles while in motion. However, there have been a growing number of reports of injuries sustained as a result of CRS use outside the vehicle. These injuries commonly result from a fall from an elevated surface or an overturning of the CRS. The incidence of death from these events, however, is not well documented. The present report retrospectively analyzed the British Columbia Coroner Service Database to identify deaths involving CRS use outside the vehicle. Two such fatalities were identified. In both instances, infants had been placed in a CRS overnight and, in both cases, the CRS was found overturned, resulting in asphyxiation. The history and pathological findings of both cases are summarized.