A report by Virginia's Chief Medical Examiner says that 12 infants died in 2007 as the direct result of an unsafe sleeping practice and as many as 49 other infants died in instances where unsafe sleeping conditions existed. Unsafe conditions are described as babies sleeping in the same bed with an adult or other children, babies sleeping on soft surfaces such as waterbeds, pillows, comforters or couches or babies sleeping in areas that include quilts, comforters, pillows or toys. The report said such conditions can result in suffocation.

Overall during the past year, 839 infants died in Virginia and the state's infant mortality rate of 7.7 deaths per 1,000 live births ranks 30th among all states according to America's Health Ranking, a survey conducted by the United Health Foundation.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has made reducing Virginia's infant mortality rate a public health priority and State Health Commissioner, Karen Remley, M.D., MBA, has called infant mortality Virginia's "unseen epidemic." The Commissioner recently established a statewide working group on infant mortality, bringing together medical and health professionals, business, community and faith leaders and civic organizations, to develop strategies and actions to reduce the state's mortality rate.

"A majority of infant deaths are preventable if we improve the health and nutrition of pregnant women and if we improve our child care practices," Commissioner Remley said. "I am hopeful that this report will increase public awareness of the need to make those changes that will save the lives of more babies this year."

The Chief Medical Examiner's Office reviewed 156 infant deaths in 2007 that fell under its jurisdiction. Of these deaths, 46 were classified as Sudden and Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), meaning that no definitive medical or traumatic cause of death could be established but an associated risk factor, such as unsafe sleeping conditions, was present. Another 41 deaths were classified as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), in which the cause of death remains unexplained despite a thorough investigation and autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner's Office. In these instances, there were no associated unsafe sleep practices. The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recommended putting babies to sleep on their backs as a way to reduce SIDS risk.