NSW Health fails to take action on infant death report recommendations

NSW Health has failed to act on recommendations to provide resources to help parents identify infectious illness in infants because dozens of babies who have died suddenly and unexpectedly were ill beforehand.

NSW Health has failed to act on expert recommendations to provide more resources to educate parents on how to identify infectious illness in infants because dozens of babies who have died suddenly and unexpectedly were ill beforehand.

In 2016-17 the Child Death Review Team (CDRT) recommended NSW Health promote an information campaign to assist parents to identify illness in infants because an infectious illness was present in more than half the infants who died in that year and were classified as Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI, formerly known as SIDS).

“For some infants, undiagnosed illness was fatal. Signs of serious illness in infants can be subtle and difficult to recognise and hard to differentiate from those of a relatively minor illness,” the report states.

“Infants can also develop an acute illness very quickly and can deteriorate very rapidly.”

NSW Health supported the recommendation at the time but, according to the CDRT report tabled in parliament last Tuesday, nothing has been done in the three years since.

“Preceding infectious illness continued to be factor present in a substantial proportion of the infant deaths in 2018 and 2019 that were classified as SUDI. Our recommendation has not been implemented and we will continue to monitor this recommendation,” the report states.

Red Nose chief midwife Jane Wiggill, pictured with baby Charlotte, said parents need to reach out if they have any concerns.

According to the latest report, the deaths of 80 infants in 2018-19 were classified as SUDI.

Red Nose chief midwife Jane Wiggill said babies were very vulnerable in their first year of life.

“With regards to infections we know it is an external stress, a stress that comes from the environment,” she said.

“Babies are really vulnerable to a sudden unexplained death occurring.

“If they are right in that critical development period and are hit with a rip-roaring infection … we know that for many babies that can be enough to tip the balance and that baby is at a much higher risk of a SUDI occurring.”

More than half (57 per cent) of infants who died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2018-2019 were less than three months of age.

“In that first year of life we know babies get exposed to up to seven viruses and that is important to build an immune response,” Ms Wiggill said.

“But we need to remember they are very vulnerable, so touching base with Red Nose and following safe sleep recommendations is really important.

“We know what comes with infection is increase in temperature, which is normal. But when you have a baby with a temperature, there is research that hyperthermia — being too hot — significantly increases the risk of sudden unexplained death.

“It is important parents pay attention to their babies and really follow that gut instinct and go to the GP or child health nurse and check it out early.

“You are never wasting anyone’s time if you have a feeling about your baby. If you have a feeling, go get help.”

A spokesman for NSW Health said that signs of serious illness in infants can be

subtle, difficult to recognise and hard to differentiate from those of a relatively

minor illness but no one size fits all campaign could address that and resources had been directed into healthdirect.

“Parents need advice that is specific to their baby and their situation.”

Parents are encouraged to contact their GP during surgery hours, to ring 000 or attend

their local Emergency Department for urgent care, and to call healthdirect if they are

unsure.

“NSW Health regularly participates in information campaigns that promote the national

healthdirect helpline,” the spokesman said.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]