The recent findings in Australia may lead to early identification of newborns at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The researchers have identified a biochemical marker in the blood that could prove significant. This paper details their method, results, and acknowledges the limitations encountered during the study.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Butyrylcholinesterase
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, refers to the abrupt and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy baby. Often striking while the infant is sleeping, SIDS has also been observed in rare instances when the child is awake. The syndrome is sometimes known as “Cot Death.”
Newborns that are born prematurely or with a lower birth weight are considered more susceptible to SIDS. Despite extensive research, the precise cause remains unknown. However, the Australian study’s discovery could pave the way to a better understanding of the syndrome.
In their research, the team focused on levels of Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and total protein content in dried blood spots derived from newborn babies.
The Study’s Findings
The study revealed that infants who succumbed to SIDS exhibited lower levels of the BChE enzyme shortly after birth. A deficiency in BChE affects a sleeping baby’s ability to wake up or react to its surroundings, which could result in susceptibility to SIDS. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the autonomic nervous system by regulating involuntary functions.
Previous studies have found a connection between low BChE activity and severe systemic inflammation leading to increased mortality rates after sepsis and cardiac events. In the context of SIDS, inflammation has long been considered a potential factor. In fact, observations of mild inflammatory changes on the air passage walls of SIDS victims were made as early as 1889.
The research also brought to focus another associated factor: smoking during pregnancy has been linked to a significant surge in SIDS cases.
Limited by the Research Method
While the study highlights a potential link between BChE levels and SIDS, it also admits certain limitations. The researchers noted that the samples they used were over two years old, which may imply that they might not accurately reflect the BChE activity in fresher dried blood samples.
Another limitation concerned a lack of understanding of how frequently abnormalities occur in the general population. The researchers confessed their ignorance on this count, despite having analyzed over 600 control samples.
Furthermore, the study relied on Coroners’ Diagnosis instead of autopsy details from the subject infants. The Coroners’ Diagnosis involves investigating who died, when, where, and how, with a post-mortem ordered if the cause of death remains unclear.
Ultimately, while the findings add to the collective knowledge about SIDS, they underline the need for further research into causes and prevention strategies.
