‘Healthy’ baby born 2 days ago found dead by nurses

Sudden and unexplained death occurs in 12 to 36 newborns per 100,000 deliveries.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Empty baby cot 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Empty baby cot 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A baby born two days ago in good condition and at term at Emek Medical Center in Afula was found dead in its infant bed early on Wednesday, the hospital reported.
He had been fed by his mother and then returned to the neonatal department.
About 90 minutes later, staff members found that he was not breathing and had no pulse.
The team immediately carried out intensive resuscitation for a long time, but to no avail. He was declared dead at 7 a.m. The Clalit Health Services hospital, which expressed management’s great sorrow over the tragedy, asked the baby’s parents for permission to perform an autopsy, and they agreed.
The Health Ministry was informed.
Sudden and unexplained death occurs in 12 to 36 newborns per 100,000 deliveries.
In most cases, no cause of death is determined. In a fraction of cases, the death results from congenital defects or an undetected medical condition.