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. 1993 Aug;69(2):187-90.
doi: 10.1136/adc.69.2.187.

Rebreathing expired gases from bedding: a cause of cot death?

D P Bolton  1 , B J Taylor, A J Campbell, B C Galland, C Cresswell
Affiliations

Rebreathing expired gases from bedding: a cause of cot death?

D P Bolton et al. Arch Dis Child. 1993 Aug.

Abstract

The reported association of cot death and sleeping prone could be due to rebreathing of expired gases. A mechanical model simulating the respiratory system of an infant, exhaling warm humidified air with an end tidal carbon dioxide of 5%, has been used to investigate this. Some commonly used bedding materials caused an accumulation of carbon dioxide of 7% to over 10% with the model lying face down. This phenomenon persisted even with the head inclined at 45 degrees, but only on very soft materials, and could be a cause of cot death in a baby unresponsive to asphyxial blood gas changes. A coir fibre mattress allowed complete dispersal of exhalate as did a rubber sheet between any mattress and the covering sheet.

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Comment in

  • Breathing expired gases from bedding.
    Malcolm GA, Henderson-Smart DJ. Malcolm GA, et al. Arch Dis Child. 1994 Apr;70(4):354-5. doi: 10.1136/adc.70.4.354-c. Arch Dis Child. 1994. PMID: 8185375 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
  • The dangers of soft bedding for infants.
    Emery JL. Emery JL. Arch Dis Child. 1993 Dec;69(6):711. doi: 10.1136/adc.69.6.711. Arch Dis Child. 1993. PMID: 8285789 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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