Parents and other caregivers are being cautioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to use infant neck floats because they may result in fatalities or serious injuries.
On Tuesday, the FDA said that one infant has passed away and another is hospitalized as a result of the usage of the device. In both cases, the baby’s carers were not “directly monitor[ing]” them.
The FDA said, “The use of these products can lead to death or serious injury,” emphasizing that babies with special needs are more likely to have neck injuries.
According to the FDA, an infant’s neck floating increase the risk of drowning and asphyxia.
The neck floats are commonly used in bathtubs, swimming pools, and water therapy. They raise the baby’s head so they may move around in the water. Some companies target parents, guardians, and caretakers of infants “as young as two weeks old or premature babies” while marketing the device to them.
“Be aware that these neck floats have not been evaluated by the FDA, and we are not aware of any demonstrated benefit with the use of neck floats for water therapy interventions,” the agency warned.
