The condition means a newborn baby suddenly stops breathing and collapses. It affects around 30 babies annually, 81 percent of them in the first day of life.
Half of the cases in the study occurred within four hours of birth. Seven percent of the children died and 26 percent suffered permanent neurological damage. Two-thirds of the cases occurred when the child shared a bed with a parent.
According to the researchers, skin-to-skin contact is important, but the adult should not fall asleep with the baby skin-to-skin. The baby should also not sleep in the same bed as adults during the first three months.
SUPC is not the same as sudden infant death syndrome, which is most common before six months of age.
