Vaping emerges as new concern in New Zealand infant deaths

Maternal vaping is emerging as a potential risk factor for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), according to New Zealand researchers who say their findings highlight the need to reassess public health messaging around vaping in pregnancy and bed sharing. Smoking during pregnancy by mothers and sharing the bed with their baby are recognised major risk factors for SUDI, especially when they occur together. In New Zealand smoking in pregnancy has decreased, but SUDI rates remain the same.

A recent study of a series of 101 SUDI deaths in New Zealand during 2022 and 2023 had detailed information about maternal nicotine exposure and the infant's sleep environment for 66 cases. Findings showed that smoking and/or vaping was reported in nearly three-quarters of these cases, while nearly 70 percent of infants had died while directly bed sharing.