Cot deaths fall to lowest level in almost a decade

The number of unexplained deaths of infants has fallen to the lowest figure in almost a decade, according to the latest data revealed today.

In 2012, there were 221 unexplained deaths of children aged under one in England and Wales. Of these, 158 were classed as sudden infant death while 63 deaths were described as “unascertained”, the Office for National Statistics reported.

The total is down from 247 deaths the previous year and continues a run of year-on-year falls since 2005, when there were 325 deaths.

London had the second lowest infant mortality rate, after the North-West, with 0.25 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Most infant deaths occurred between 28 days and one year, with boys twice as likely to die as girls. Factors known to influence a baby’s risk of death include their head being covered during sleep and the danger of overheating from central heating or extra clothing and blankets.