By David Denton Davis, M.D.
Post Office Box 898; Edwards, Colorado 81632; 970-926-5316;
Email DentonDavisMD@aol.com or drd@criblife2000.com

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Another fact to consider is the risk of "bed-sharing." It has been widely publicized, most recently by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), that the risk of a baby dying from SIDS is three times greater in the parents' bed.

Based upon the new AAP SIDS policy one might conclude that a baby is being murdered more often in the parents' bed than in their own crib? The fact that Afro-Americans have a higher risk of having a SIDS baby makes this conclusion even more sinister? Once again the mattress is a more probable cause than the race of the parents. The mattress is the "smoking gun."

These issues are also the reasons why the American media, which has usually relied upon the medical establishment for guidance, must have a change in policy and report this story with or without "medical" scientific or editorial approval. It would be fair to state the media is already aware of some of these facts.

It would also be fair to say that some members of the media have actually covered the story, but so far few have had the courage or been given the encouragement to release it.

This controversy is growing and will not go away. This author for one has placed the PVC, chemical, mildew, and subsequent gas explanation on the Internet at www.criblife2000.com and is in the process of completing a book on the same subject.

In conjunction with Dr. T. J. Sprott, Mr. Barry Richardson and parents, who are now confronted with disabled children with high hair antimony and arsenic levels, this story is being written for America.

At the very least parents deserve to receive information about the likely source of the chemicals being found in their babies. Even if the risk is remote and the odds small that a baby will die while sleeping on a PVC mattress contaminated with mildew, danger from chronic exposure deserves everyone's attention. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

The recent change in the American Academy of Pediatrics SIDS policy (Feb 2001) is a cause for concern. What the Academy is saying after all these years is simple - a murder has taken place until proven otherwise.

This means there will no longer be any proof of innocence coming from a post mortem exam. This also means that all caregivers, especially parents, who thought that the diagnosis of SIDS given to their babies had made them innocent of murder, will remain suspects.

The death scene will become a crime scene. It will be assumed by the authorities that any baby found not breathing face down was put to bed in that position.

This will occur in spite of the scientific evidence that a majority of babies will roll on to their stomachs during sleep by the age of 5 months. How will a caregiver or parent be able "to prove their innocence" or that their baby was placed on the back for sleep? If only the authors of the new SIDS murder policy had spent more time investigating the Richardson/Sprott evidence this might have been avoided.

Recommendations

As a medical doctor I have investigated the issues and facts embedded in this complex and emotionally and politically charged story. I have gone from the position of being a skeptic to the belief that there is more evidence in favor of an accidental poisoning than a sudden increase in murders at daycare centers.

I believe there is enough "circumstantial and actual evidence" to support the existence of link between unexplained infant deaths and the growing number of disabilities and mattress chemicals and mildew. Therefore something must be done immediately to protect babies and, in light of this new policy, the rights of parents and caregivers.

The single best solution is to have chemical free baby mattresses manufactured inexpensively that will not support the growth of mildew. In the meantime, a thick chemical free polyethylene cover should be placed over all existing mattresses.

Although a suggestion was made that all babies should be given a new mattress, by a prominent member of the SIDS Alliance, this is unrealistic. It is also potentially dangerous due to the presence of chemical compounds.

For this effort to be successful it will require the cooperation of all doctors, midwives, nurses and hospitals providing maternity services. In addition agencies that currently help new mothers through their pregnancies and assist with nursery furnishings must become involved, because many inner city mothers are now receiving donated used and "dirty" mattresses.

Alternatives to PVC mattresses and the current chemical compounds used as fire retardants and anti-fungal agents must be explored. While this is taking place all objects upon which a baby was sleeping at the moment of death must be collected and examined using newer improved methods to detect fungal gas generating activity.

Tissue, blood, urine and hair samples must be examined for antimony and arsenic in all deaths from all causes. A testing method for cholinesterase activity at the time of death must be developed, because the gases in question act to inhibit this activity.

The goal of a campaign to isolate babies from mattress chemicals and mildew will be to protect all babies, as well as their parents and other caregivers. At the very least it is reasonable to predict one outcome will be that babies will do better in a more sanitary environment. If both the unexplained infant death rate and the incidence of learning and behavioral disorders declined, the proof will become self-evident.

A standard chemical free protective cover should be used during this period. The combination of a chemical free environment that will not support the growth of mildew must become an immediate goal of all parties in the same way that infant car seats have become the standard for baby car safety.

No baby should be allowed to go home from the hospital without a chemical free protective cover or mattress.

While newborn babies are being protected, antimony testing should begin for all children. Both hair and urine samples must be tested at regular intervals. Protecting babies from chemical compounds, especially antimony, during the crib years may prove to have health and psychological benefits not yet appreciated.

Those children with toxic levels must be identified and treated. No harm can come from these recommendations. Any one wishing to defend the safety of PVC, chemicals, and mildew should be given the opportunity to receive equal publicity during this

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Related Articles:

Risk of SIDS is 3 Times Greater in Daycare

The Relationship Between Crib Mattresses and Crib Death

Interview with TJ Sprott About SIDS Prevention

A Simple Explanation for SIDS (Crib Deaths)

The Truth About SIDS

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