Australian researchers pinpoint one potential biomarker for SIDS or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Their study showcases potential clues as to why this occurs to sleeping infants. Unfortunately, the primary cause of the phenomenon remains unknown.
- New Research Uncovers an Important Biomarker for SIDS
- Doctor Mum, Whose Son Died From SIDS, Led the Study
- Proper Precaution Prevents Possible Biomarker for SIDS
New Research Uncovers an Important Biomarker for SIDS
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) accounts for about 3,400 babies dying from SIDS in the US each year. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they still haven't identified the apparent cause of death. At present, experts cannot determine what causes the phenomenon.
Researchers from The Children's Hospital Westmed in Sidney connected a study on SIDS. They were able to identify the first biochemical marker that could help detect more at-risk babies while they are alive.
The unexplained deaths of infants caused by SIDS often happen to those under one year old. As the name suggests, it usually occurs when babies sleep.
Defects in the Part of the Brain
According to Mayo Clinic, many in the medical community suspect that defects in the brain cause this phenomenon. It is the part of the brain that controls arousal from sleep and breathing. The theory says if the baby stops breathing while sleeping, the defect would keep them from startling or waking up.
Meanwhile, the Sidney researchers were able to confirm this particular theory. It is through analysing dried blood samples taken from newborns who died from SIDS and other unknown causes.
They compare the SIDS samples to the blood taken from healthy babies. The researcher found the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity was lower in the babies who died from SIDS.
BChe plays a significant role in the brain's arousal pathway, explaining why SIDS typically occurs during sleep. The BChe is significantly lower in babies who died of SIDS than in living infants and other non-SIDS infant deaths.
Proper Precaution Prevents Possible Biomarker for SIDS
Recently, experts have said that parents can prevent SIDS through proper precautions. It includes the following:
- Maintaining proper temperature to avoid overheating
- Laying babies on their backs once they start to fall asleep
- Taking all toys and blankets out of the crib before sleeping
These are just a few essential preventative steps that parents can take to avoid SIDS. Unfortunately, experts say that there is still no test for this biomarker at present.
Taking all these necessary, proper precautions cannot guarantee children that they can altogether avoid SIDS. It claimed the lives of many infants despite their parents' best efforts. Parents were left with immense guilt. They keep on wondering if they could have prevented the death of their baby.
Doctor Mum, Whose Son Died From SIDS, Led the Study
The lead researcher for the study is Dr Carmel Harrington. She is also one of the parents whose son died from SIDS. Just like any other parent, she was also left with immense guilt. She also hoped to find the cause of her baby's untimely demise.
About 29 years ago, Dr Carmel Harrington's son unexpectedly and suddenly died as an infant. In an interview, she explained what she was told about her son's cause of death.
According to her, "Nobody could tell me. They just said it's a tragedy. But it was a tragedy that didn't sit well with my scientific brain.”
It has become her primary motivation to find the cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Since then, she has worked hard to find the condition's root cause. Dr Harrington worked on it for herself and the medical community. According to her, this discovery is important for parents whose babies suffer from SIDS.
"These families can now live knowing that this was not their fault," said Dr Darmel Harrington. Meanwhile, the researchers wrote, “This finding represents the possibility for the identification of infants at risk for SIDS infants prior to death and opens new avenues for future research into specific interventions.”
Fortunately, the biomarker has been further confirmed. The researchers can now turn their attention to a solution. Hopefully, the medical community who studied SIDS can work on a screening test in the next few years. The screening test can identify babies who are at risk for SIDS and hopefully prevent it.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also goes by the name "cot death." It is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of a healthy baby.
Most deaths happen during the first 66 months of a baby's life. Infants born prematurely or with a low birth weight are at greater risk. Studies have found that SIDS is more common in baby boys.
SIDS usually occurs when the baby is sleeping. However, there were few instances where it can occasionally happen while they are awake.
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