Unexplained baby deaths fall to new low

There were 254 unexplained infant deaths in England and Wales in 2010, down from 440 in 1996, including 26 in Yorkshire.

The rate of unexplained infant deaths has also fallen to an all-time low. In 1995, when the figures were first compiled, the death rate was more than 0.6 per 1,000 live births, but in 2010 it fell to 0.35, ranging from 0.21 in London to 0.53 in the North West. In Yorkshire it stood at 0.39.

Unexplained infant deaths include cot deaths – and those where the cause of death is unascertained or unknown after a full investigation.

The figures showed babies were more likely to die from unexplained causes when cared for by a single mother rather than by a married couple.