Forensic Engineering Evaluation Of Co2 Re-Breathing In Infant Bedding Materials

Authors

  • Michael D. Leshner

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v29i2.771

Keywords:

Carbon dioxide, re-breathing, rebreathing, SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Abstract

A Four-Month-Old Infant Suffocated In His Sleep From Positional Asphyxia. The Baby Was Found Face Down On A Foam Wedge Pillow Called A Sleep Positioner. The Author Was Engaged To Evaluate The Sleep Positioner Product For Its Potential To Cause Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Re-Breathing In Infants. Prior Research On This Subject Had Already Established A Reliable Method Of Simulating Infant Breathing And Measurement Of Respiratory Gas Constituents Using A Mechanical Breathing Model. Guided By This Research, A Mechanical Breathing Model And Gas Sampling Apparatus Was Coupled To A Mannequin Representing The Child In This Matter. The Mannequin Was Placed In Face-Down And Sidefacing Positions On The Sleep Positioner Product And Twelve Other Surfaces, Including A Plain Cotton Sheet As The Baseline. The Sleep Positioner Product Produced The Highest (And Most Dangerous) Level Of Co2 Re-Breathing, More Than Three Times The Baseline Level. Factors Contributing To Co2 Re-Breathing Are Discussed.

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Published

2012-01-01

How to Cite

Leshner, Michael D. 2012. “Forensic Engineering Evaluation Of Co2 Re-Breathing In Infant Bedding Materials”. Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Engineers 29 (2). https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v29i2.771.

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Section

Articles