Office of Medical Communications

Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine and a pediatric critical care physician at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital

(JANUARY 27, 2025) Rebecca Bell, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the Larner College of Medicine and a pediatric critical care physician at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, spoke with WCAX-TV about sudden unexpected infant death risks in Vermont.

Vermont sees five or six sudden unexpected infant deaths, or SUIDs, annually, and unsafe sleep is a contributing factor. Experts say infants with parents in a financial crunch are especially susceptible.

Bell, along with the state’s child fatality review team, just released a report on SUID risk in Vermont. The team says paid family medical leave, financial assistance, and universal nurse home visits could prevent tragedy. “We want to, as we educate families, also be empathetic, understand what the barriers are, and make recommendations that can make it easier for families to follow those guidelines,” Bell said.

The child fatality review team hopes the legislature considers their recommendations this session to minimize economic barriers blocking safe sleep.