Neonatal circumcision could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in babies – new research

Article here. Excerpt:

'Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) or cot death remains the leading cause of infant death in many developed countries. There are around 2,700 babies who die from cot death every year in the US – and around 300 in the UK.

Cot death occurs when a seemingly healthy infant – under 12 months of age – dies in their sleep with no cause of death established in a post-mortem investigation. Although many risk factors are known to increase the risk of cot death – such as maternal smoking and bed sharing – nobody is exactly sure why it happens.

Research, for example, indicates that cot death is more common in boys than girls – at a ratio of 3:2. Studies also show it is 39% lower among US Hispanic communities compared to non-Hispanic people. There is also a seasonal variation – most cases occurring in winter. And 50% of cases occur between seven and 17 weeks after birth – with only 10% of cot deaths occurring after 24 weeks.'