100 crib deaths in Bengal since Jan 1

Five more crib deaths were reported in West Bengal's Malda district Friday, taking the total number of such deaths to nearly 100 since Jan 1, a senior health official said.

The babies were aged between three hours to three months. "Since Jan 1 to Jan 27, 1,600 babies have been admitted in the Malda district hospital. Out of these, nearly 100 babies have died," Malda district hospital superintendent Debashish Bhattacharjee said.

Five deaths were reported Friday. "All were brought in a very poor condition. Everyday on an average 3-4 babies are dying," said chief medical officer S.K. Jhariat. Jhariat said that most of the babies were born in unhygienic conditions in the areas in and around Malda district.

"TThe babies which died were brought in a condition when they were terminally ill," he said. Between Oct 25-28 last year, 16 babies died at the B.C. Roy Children's Hospital, the only children's referral hospital in Kolkata. The Burdwan Medical College and Hospital reported 12 infant deaths Oct 27-28.

In June last year, 18 babies had died at the B.C. Roy Children's Hospital.