Fostrargärningsmedaljen awarded to Hugo Lagercrantz

Hugo Lagercrantz is one of Sweden's most prominent doctors and researchers in pediatric medicine. His and others' research on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) led in the early 1990s to the advice that babies should be placed on their backs to prevent SIDS - a simple measure that in a decade reduced the death rate from 1.2 per thousand per year to 0.2 per thousand among Swedish infants.

– Lagercrantz has always been strongly involved in the social debate and recently, among other things, extensively discussed the value of early digitization at pre-school level and claimed with support from research that it can be inhibiting for the early development of the brain, says Mårten Rosenqvist, member of the society's management committee, professor and former first life medic.

Over the years, Hugo Lagercrantz has written a number of popular science books, which have become bestsellers, including "In the Child's Brain". As a researcher, he has not hesitated to stand up for academic freedom.

Hugo Lagercrantz expresses great gratitude for the recognition and points out that when he first came out with the advice that babies should sleep on their backs and that small children should avoid watching screens, he met strong resistance, not least from colleagues.

– Of course, I am most proud because we contributed to reducing the incidence of sudden infant death by recommending the supine position, says the medalist. Also proud to have contributed to improving the care of premature babies through more humane treatment, better pain relief, breathing assistance with CPAP instead of respirator and kangaroo care.

The awarding of the Fostrargärningsmedaljen took place at the Royal The Patriotic Society's December dinner on 6 December. The medal was handed over by the King. Patriotic Society member, Marshal Fredrik Wersäll.