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sudden infant death syndrome

·August 17, 2021·3 min read

Previously Unrecognized Genetic Mutation May Underlie Some Cases of Sudden Infant Death

A de novo mutation of SOS1, a gene implicated in Noonan syndrome, may be implicated in sudden infant death, researchers report.

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·October 11, 2019·4 min read

New genetic link found for some forms of SIDS

Researchers tie some cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) with a genetic mutation that causes an inability to process milk, leaving the child vulnerable to sudden heart failure. Future studies will explore if a drug called Elamipretide can help reduce cardiac events in children with the mutation.

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·March 31, 2019·4 min read

Novel study links fetal exposure to nicotine and sudden infant death syndrome

In utero exposure to nicotine could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, researchers report. The findings raise concerns about both smoking and the use of nicotine replacement therapies during pregnancy.

This shows Ven Diagrams of how sudden death syndrome may occur

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·March 21, 2019·3 min read

Researchers point to a common cause in sudden death syndromes

An opinion article reports on a potential common cause for both SIDS and SUDEP. The reason sudden death may occur is due to a person's inability to wake when CO2 levels in the blood rise, as a result of dysfunctional serotonin neurons in the midbrain.

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·October 25, 2018·4 min read

Serotonin Neurons Contribute to Fail Safe Mechanism that Ensures Recovery From Interrupted Breathing

A new study reports acute loss of normal activity in serotonin producing neurons blunts the body's ability to recover from interrupted breathing. Researchers say this could provide an explanation to why some infants die from SIDs, and could someday help with the development of therapies to prevent sudden infant death.

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·October 25, 2017·6 min read

Now We Know Why Babies Shouldn’t Sleep Face Down

It has been well known for a number of years that placing a baby to sleep on their stomachs increases the risk of SIDS. Researchers report a developmental abnormality more prevalent in premature and male babies, may contribute to SIDS risk, in conjunction to the sleep position.

This image shows a baby holding its parent's thumb.

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·September 14, 2017·4 min read

SIDS Research Confirms Changes in Babies’ Brain Chemistry

Researchers have confirmed previous findings linking abnormalities in serotonin to sudden death in infants. It is hoped the findings will help other researchers to develop biomarkers to identify infants at increased risk of SIDS.

Image shows a stick and ball model of serotonin.

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·July 3, 2017·3 min read

High Serotonin Levels in Blood of SIDS Infants

A new paper may help answer some questions as to why some infants die suddenly. Looking at blood samples from infants who had died of SIDS, researchers discover 31% of the children had elevated levels of serotonin. The researchers concluded that abnormal serotonin metabolism could indicate an underlying vulnerability that increases SIDS risk.