Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Linked to Unusual Metabolite Levels: Study

This suggests a predisposition is the risk factor and may well be narrowed down to a specific cause.

understand that we did not know that this even existed back when I was growing up.  Yet it had to be there and like as not, the parents somehow got blamed.

how can this ever be an emergent problem?

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Linked to Unusual Metabolite Levels: Study

Newborn screening may hold the key to SIDS prevention. Experts also share other prevention methods.

Fertility rates continue to decline in Canada, dropping to 1.26 children per woman in 2023.morrowlight/Shutterstock

By Marina Zhang

9/13/2024Updated:10/8/2024

Researchers have identified 14 biomarkers that, if atypical at birth, may increase an infant’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS—a fatal syndrome that has long puzzled doctors.

The study evaluated more than 350 infants who died from SIDS and compared them to more than 1,400 babies who were not stricken by the syndrome.

“We may be able to identify infants at increased risk for SIDS soon after birth,” the researchers at the University of California–San Francisco wrote in their study.

The ability to make this early identification could help with prevention. They also found that infants born to Hispanic and Asian mothers were at a lowest risk.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-linked-to-unusual-metabolite-levels-study-5724184?

SIDS is defined as the sudden unexplained death of a newborn under 1. It usually occurs during sleep. Though the cause of SIDS is unknown, babies who die of the syndrome are thought to have problems in the way they respond to stress and how they regulate their heart rate, breathing, and temperature.

Babies that are male, are born prematurely, and have a possible genetic history of SIDS, as evidenced through their family history, tend to be at a greater risk of SIDS, Dr. Joel “Gator” Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician who was not involved in the study, told The Epoch Times.

14 Metabolites IdentifiedThe 14 biomarkers that were identified are metabolites, which are chemicals produced within the body through metabolic reactions. The metabolites are detectable in newborn screening, which is done before the baby leaves the hospital.

Infants who developed SIDS tended to have lower levels of these metabolites than other infants.

These metabolites include:17-hydroxyprogesterone, a hormone and precursor to cortisol, the stress hormone

Five amino acids that are needed to make proteins

Eight acylcarnitines, which are key players in cell energy metabolism.“These metabolites may point to metabolic, endocrine, and neurological abnormalities that could make infants more vulnerable to SIDS,” Warsh told The Epoch Times.

The study authors wrote that “the most noteworthy metabolic pattern revealed by [the] study was the significance of acylcarnitines to identification of the likelihood of SIDS.”

Acylcarnitines are involved in transporting fatty acids in the course of energy metabolism. Atypical levels of acylcarnitines may indicate “systemic dysfunction” of fatty acid metabolism, the authors said.

Warsh said, “Abnormalities in energy metabolism might lead to a lack of energy in critical tissues, including the brain and heart, which could contribute to sudden death.”

He said that two more metabolites stood out to him: the hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone and the amino acid tyrosine. Having abnormal levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone may indicate a disrupted endocrine system, which can affect breathing and stress responses, he said.

Tyrosine is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate stress and emotional responses.

“Disruptions in neurotransmitter production could lead to improper stress responses or autonomic dysregulation, both of which are factors associated with SIDS,” Warsh said.

Preventing SIDSWhile there is no foolproof method to eliminate the risk of SIDS, Warsh said, there are some recommended practices that could help:Proper sleep positioning: Experts recommend that infants be positioned on their backs during sleep, whether for naps or overnight. This practice promotes airway openness and reduces the chances of suffocation.

Using firm mattresses: Soft bedding, pillows, or stuffed animals should be avoided as they can impede breathing.

Sharing room with parents: Infants should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months, but should be placed in their own crib or bassinet to avoid accidental suffocation from bed sharing.

Breastfeeding: Research has found that those who are breastfed have reduced chances of developing SIDS. One study showed that two months of breastfeeding reduced the chance of SIDS by nearly half. Breastfed babies are more easily aroused from deep sleep than formula-fed babies.

Temperature control: Infants should be dressed in lightweight clothing and the room temperature should be maintained at a comfortable level. Overheating caused by excessive layers or elevated room temperatures can raise SIDS risk.

Avoiding tobacco smoke: Studies have found that exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth may increase the risk of SIDS.

Introduce pacifiers: Providing a pacifier at nap times and bedtime has been linked in some studies with a lower risk of SIDS. However, a pacifier should not be insisted upon if the infant declines it.