DEATHS OF INFANTS ON POLYSTYRENE-FILLED BEANBAGS

We have reviewed 35 deaths of infants who were found face down on poly styrene-filled beanbags or their equivalents. Most of the deaths were recorded as sudden infant death syndrome. One-half of the children die d before the age of 2 months. It is suggested that the bags played a m ajor factor in the babies' deaths and are dangerous for young children . Mechanisms involved in the deaths of infants on beanbags may also be applicable to deaths of infants on other types of bedding.