With the death of four children on, altogether 23 crib deaths were reported from Malda Medical College and Hospital in Malda district since Saturday, hospital sources said.
Superintendent of the hospital, Uchhal Kumar Bhadra, said all the deceased children were aged under one year, born with very low weight and suffering from malnutrition.
Besides, they were brought to the hospital from far-flung areas in a critical condition, he said.
Another factor that worked against the children was a sudden drop of temperature in this district in north Bengal, Bhadra said.
The paediatric department of the hospital, which caters to patients from neighbouring two other districts, is now overcrowded, hospital sources said adding infection cannot be totally checked as mothers of the children were with them.
Hospital sources said the critical patients of the department were admitted at the 22 beds of the Sick Neonatal Care Unit. The department also has 46 other beds.
