["Home monitoring" does not prevent crib death. Managing possibilities and results of new technology].

Each night, about 300 Norwegian infants are connected to monitors that register respiratory movement. Most of the infants are siblings to cot death victims. It has never been proven that these simple devices have saved lives in such cases. On the contrary it has happened that infants have succumbed to cot death while connected to such monitors. During the last ten years, 1,200 simple monitors for home use have been sold in Norway. In most cases these are owned by departments of pediatrics or by county centres for medical equipment, and are lent to families. The use of monitors varies considerably among the different counties. Thus in the county of Nordland 100 monitors are available, while Buskerud county has only two. Based on undocumented effect and great variation in availability, it seems appropriate to ask: what forces maintain home monitoring, and is it possible to discontinue this service? If no new and better technology is developed, it is necessary to consider the consequences of continuing to use ineffective devices. Conversely, it is also necessary to look at the consequences of discontinuing the service. Based on the present knowledge about risk factors, it would seem better to emphasize a dialogue between parents and doctor, rather than continue to use monitors.