Deaths of infants on polystyrene-filled beanbags.

We have reviewed 35 deaths of infants who were found face down on polystyrene-filled beanbags or their equivalents. Most of the deaths were recorded as sudden infant death syndrome. One-half of the children died before the age of 2 months. It is suggested that the bags played a major factor in the babies' deaths and are dangerous for young children. Mechanisms involved in the deaths of infants on beanbags may also be applicable to deaths of infants on other types of bedding.