Sleep-Related Infant Deaths Up 13 Percent In Tulsa County

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Sleep-related infant deaths in Tulsa County have risen 13.2 percent, according to the Tulsa Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Program. The increase was measured from 2005 to 2009.

The Sleep Report found that sleep-related deaths account for 19 percent of all Tulsa County infant deaths.

Some risk factors that contribute to the deaths can be changed: bedsharing, sleep surface, sleep position, loose bedding or other objects in the sleep area, exposure to tobacco smoke, overheating and maternal drug and alcohol use.

"TFIMR is working hard to establish community partnerships to champion and implement changes to prevent sleep related deaths, as well as to develop resources to ensure providers understand and deliver safe sleep messages to new parents." said Alicia Plati of the Tulsa Health Department.

According to the report, 88.6 percent of sleep-related deaths were considered to be in a non-safe sleep environment.