New Breakthrough Research into SIDS Could Save Lives

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Researchers have discovered that newborns who succumbed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) exhibited distinct metabolic marker patterns at birth, according to a press release published today on the National Institue of Health (NIH). These findings may illuminate the causes of this poorly understood condition and pave the way for improved monitoring of at-risk infants.

SIDS, a leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S., refers to the unexpected and unexplained death of an infant under one year old, even after thorough investigations. Although the exact causes remain unclear, several risk factors have been identified, including maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy, sleep position, and genetics.

Previous studies suggested that metabolites—molecules resulting from the body’s metabolic processes—might also contribute to SIDS. A research team, led by Scott Oltman at the University of California, San Francisco, explored this connection further by utilizing California's newborn screening program, which tests for serious disorders, including metabolic conditions.

From over 2 million infants born in California between 2005 and 2011, the researchers pinpointed 354 babies who later died from SIDS. They compared this group with more than 1,400 similar infants who survived to at least one year. Their findings, published on September 9, 2024, in JAMA Pediatrics, revealed eight metabolites that differed significantly between the two groups, including one hormone, two amino acids, and five acylcarnitines, which are crucial for fat metabolism and energy production.

Using this data alongside factors such as infant sex and maternal age, the scientists developed a risk assessment model for SIDS. When tested against a separate group of infants, those identified with the highest risk were over 14 times more likely to die from SIDS compared to those at the lowest risk.

“This study suggests that metabolic factors may play a crucial role in SIDS,” Oltman says. “These patterns could help identify children at higher risk, potentially saving lives in the future.”

However, the model needs further testing and refinement in different populations. While the study's participants were diverse, a significant portion (41%) identified as Hispanic.

The findings also suggest avenues for additional research into why these metabolic patterns change in cases of SIDS. Gaining insights into these alterations could lead to new prevention and treatment strategies.

The full NIH report can be found here.