Photo/Illutration A nursey school in Aira, Kagoshima Prefecture, where a 7-month-old girl became unconscious after eating a grated apple (Hayato Kaji)

AIRA, Kagoshima Prefecture--A 7-month-old baby girl who lost consciousness in April after eating a grated apple at a private nursery school here died in a hospital on May 28.

The government-approved nursery school said a teacher grated an apple and fed the girl on the afternoon of April 18. The teacher then laid the girl on her back.

After leaving to get a change of clothing for the girl, the teacher returned to her and noticed her condition had quickly deteriorated. The teacher patted her on the back to get her to respond, the nursery said.

But the infant's heart was not beating when she was rushed to a hospital. She had been in a state of unconsciousness but died on May 28, according to a lawyer representing her parents.

A similar case occurred in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, on May 16. An 8-month-old boy fell unconscious after eating two pieces of an apple at a nursery school.

The nursery school said a teacher fed the boy the pieces, which were 7 millimeters in length, 2 mm in width and 3 mm thick, using a spoon. Shortly after, he stopped breathing.

He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Matsuyama in the prefecture. 

The guidelines complied by the Cabinet Office for nursery schools warn that apples are among the foods that pose a high risk of choking for infants.

The guidelines ask nursery schools to take precautions when feeding an apple to infants who are still transitioning to solid food. They recommend heating an apple before giving it to them. 

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