A nanny found to have sedated an eight-week-old baby with antihistamines has been identified as Sandra Davidson, a professional with over 20 years of experience. The inquest into the baby's death revealed that Davidson likely administered chlorpheniramine, the active ingredient in Piriton, to the infant to help him sleep.
Details of the Incident
On January 15, 2024, the baby was found unresponsive in his crib at 7 am, just 45 minutes after Davidson's night shift ended. Paramedics attempted resuscitation, but the baby was pronounced dead. The Metropolitan Police initially found no obvious cause of death, but a toxicology report later detected the sedative antihistamine in his bloodstream.
Missed Forensic Opportunities
Senior coroner Professor Fiona Wilcox noted that forensic opportunities were missed. Police failed to seize bottles from the scene despite knowing toxicology tests are routine. Davidson's home was not searched until October 2024, ten months after the incident, when a half-filled bottle of liquid Piriton was found in her kitchen cabinet. By then, all forensic evidence was lost.
Systemic Failures in Childcare
The case has raised concerns about the lack of regulation in the nanny sector. Davidson was recommended by the Night Nannies agency, which requires references, DBS checks, and first-aid training but does not employ nannies directly. Nannies are self-employed and prohibited from administering medication. However, the National Nanny Association stated that this incident highlights a serious gap in oversight.
Calls for Reform
The coroner has recommended updating police training guidelines and requiring nannies to be trained not to give Piriton to children without medical advice and parental consent. The National Nanny Association is calling for mandatory registration, clear standards, and proper safeguarding checks for all in-home childcare workers.
Davidson, who attended regular training, could not be reached for comment. The Metropolitan Police expressed condolences to the family and are responding to the coroner's concerns. The manufacturers of Piriton have been approached for comment.
The inquest concluded that the cause of death was sudden unexpected death in infancy, as it could not be determined that the drug probably caused the death, but it may have contributed. The NHS warns that antihistamines like Piriton are not suitable for children under one year old and should not be taken solely for sleep problems.
