The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) believes a campaign is necessary because the region has one of England’s highest rates of smoking during pregnancy, which is linked to increased risk of cot death.
The North West recorded an unexplained infant death rate of 0.53 per 1,000 live births during 2010, compared to 0.21 per cent in London and an England and Wales average of 0.35.
Separate figures from the NHS Information Centre for 2011 show that 17 per cent of pregnant women in the North West smoked, compared to an England wide average of 13.2 per cent.
FSID chief executive Francine Bates, said: “The figure for the North West is extremely concerning. The region has had the highest rate for the last seven years. We know that smoking is a major risk factor for sudden, unexplained infant death.
“FSID has pledged to halve the numbers of unexplained infant deaths by 2020 and public health agencies in the North West can help us achieve our goal by ensuring that ‘reduce the risk’ campaigns, with a focus on the dangers of smoking, are an on-going local priority.”
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