Cot Death—Cause and PreventionExperiences in New Zealand 1995–2004

There is a general perception that the cause of cot death remains unknown. This is not so. The cause of cot death (often erroneously termed Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS) has been elucidated as being due to extremely toxic ‘nerve’ gases generated by fungal activity on chemicals frequently present in cot mattresses and in certain other bedding commonly used in baby bedding. However, this explanation, often referred to in Britain as ‘the Richardson Hypothesis’, has aroused considerable controversy, especially among individuals and organizations closely associated with cot death. Interventions based on this explanation have been widely advocated in two countries: first in Britain (1989 and 1994) and far more intensively in New Zealand through a nationwide public information programme from late 1994 continouously to the present. Both interventions were followed by significant reductions in cot death, especially the 10‐year ‘mattress‐wrapping’ programme in New Zealand. Mattress‐wrapping (a logical inter...