Sudden infant death and crib death in Scandinavia during the period 1970-1987

Compared with other countries, infant mortality in the Nordic countries is low. However, the decrease in infant mortality since 1970 has been slower in Denmark and Norway than in Finland and Sweden. The post-neonatal death rate since 1970 has increased in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but not in Finland. During the same period of time there has been a large increase in cot death in all the four countries, but the incidence has been higher in Denmark and Norway. This may explain much of the difference in today's infant mortality in the different countries. The authors think that the Nordic countries are faced with a serious epidemic situation and propose to appoint a Nordic expert group to follow the trend and find possible pathways for further investigations.