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  Unexplained infant deaths 04 May 2004  
Why do babies die unexpectedly?

Sudden unexplained infant death is more common in babies over a month old than leukaemia, meningitis and road traffic accidents. Yet the medical profession and the courts still don't fully understand why.

All too soon the finger of suspicion is pointed at the bereaved parents, argue campaigners and even some medical professionals abroad. Recent cases, which have seen convictions overturned, have shown just how shaky criminal and medical evidence can be. Added to that is the reliability or otherwise of expert witnesses.   

To discuss unexplained infant deaths Jenni is joined by Joyce Epstein, the director of SIDS, the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths and Professor Peter Fleming, a paediatrician who's worked with 700 families who've experienced the tragedy or losing a child. 

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
BBC Health -  Cot Death Awareness


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