Fan should be turned on in the newborn room

Fans will help the baby to breathe toxic air when sleeping.Photo: Xinhua News Agency.

Fanning when a baby sleeps can significantly reduce the risk of sudden death in babies, US researchers say.

The study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente Medical Institute experts, is the first to explore the relationship between room ventilation and sudden death in babies (SIDS).

The group concluded that when babies sleep in a room ventilated by a fan, the risk of SIDS is reduced by 27% compared to babies who sleep in a room without a fan. Children sleeping in rooms with open windows also reduce the risk of sudden death.

"Sudden death in sleep is a serious and mysterious syndrome," said lead researcher Dr. De-Kun Li. He also noted that mothers who watch young children put their hands in the fan.

Sudden infant death syndrome in babies is marked by unexpected, unexplained deaths. It can happen to children before age 1, and usually within the first 6 months. In the US alone, every year 2,500 deaths are due to this syndrome.

By ventilating the room, the fan can help disperse CO ₂ in the narrow space in front of the baby's mouth and nose, making it easier to breathe.

The study was conducted on 497 children in 11 counties throughout California, USA. 185 of them died of this syndrome.