Despite tremendous success at reducing SIDS rates since inception of the Back to Sleep campaign in 1994, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for infants one month to one year of age.  In the United States, it strikes one infant every four hours. In Orange County, one out of every 2000 +/- babies dies of SIDS.  The Back to Sleep campaign warns parents about the dangers of tummy sleeping, soft bedding, bed sharing and tobacco exposure both during pregnancy and after birth as leading risk factors.  SIDS recognizes no boundaries, makes no distinctions to race, ethnic origin, income or background.  SIDS could strike any one of our families or friends without warning.  It causes loving families intense grief.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital in Boston came out with new autopsy data in October 2006 that provides the strongest evidence yet that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome has a concrete biological basis.  The current study provides more conclusive evidence that a significant number of SIDS babies have a brain disorder.

Abnormalities identified as part of this study appear to affect the brainstem’s ability to use and recycle serotonin, a brain chemical which plays a role in communications between brain cells.  Serotonin is most well known for its role in regulating vital functions like breathing, heart rate, temperature, blood pressure and arousal.  

While the SIDS cases contained more serotonin using neurons, they appeared to contain fewer receptors for serotonin than did the control cases.  The researchers also found that male SIDS infants had fewer serotonin receptors than did either female SIDS infants or control infants.  The finding may provide insight into why SIDS affects roughly twice as many males as females.

Based on their findings, the researchers hope to develop a diagnostic test to identify newborns at risk and envision treatments to protect them during the vulnerable period.