Vol. 492 No. 4
229 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of sudden infant deaths to live births for each of the years from 1996 to date; the likely causes of sudden infant death as indicated in the research to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14359/98]
Figures from the Central Statistics Office indicate that the number of births registered in 1996 was 50,390 and in 1997 the figure was 52,311. Data from the national sudden infant death register indicates that there were 38 sudden infant deaths in 1996 and provisional figures for 1997 indicate that there were 69 deaths. Figures for 1998 are not available. While no one factor has been identified as the cause of sudden infant death a number of risk factors have been identified and a number of preventive measures can be taken. They include avoiding smoking during pregnancy and around children, avoiding making babies too warm during sleep and placing babies on their backs to sleep.
