The Scottish government is investigating what’s causing excess infant deaths over the last six months.  

“Every death is a tragedy for the families involved, that is why earlier this year I committed to this review to find out if there is a reason for the increase,” said public health Minister Maree Todd.

“I appreciate how difficult this time is for anyone affected, and I would encourage them to access support if they wish to do so.”

Figures show the rate of infant deaths is the highest in ten years. In 2020, the rate was 3.1 per 1,000, which rose to 3.9 per 1,000 in 2021.

The government’s most recent update came last month, which showed a 12% increase in infant deaths from the quarterly average.

“The review will cover all reported deaths across Scotland between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2022 to find out if there is anything that may have contributed to the increase. Anything identified will feed into recommendations and actions to improve the quality of care for mother and babies,” the public health memo reads. 

Other countries have found low birth rates starting in 2021. In July, a Hungarian MP asked whether the COVID vaccines are linked to the dramatic drop.

“In January this year, something happened that has not happened for decades,” said MP Dúró Dóra, speaking to Parliament.

“The birth rate fell by 20% compared to the same period last year. And what is even more worrying is that the fertility has also fallen — something not seen since 2011,” Dóra said.

“A researcher at the KRTK Institute of Economics points out that this drastic decline came just nine months after the COVID mass vaccinations began in Hungary.”

Last month, a study detected the mRNA spike protein in breast milk.