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 over 350 infants who died from SIDS and compared them to over 1,400 babies who were not stricken by the syndrome.
They also found that infants born to Hispanic and Asian mothers were at the lowest risk of SIDS.
SIDS is defined as the sudden unexplained death of a newborn under one year of age. 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.
14 Metabolites Identified
The 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 tend to have lower levels of these metabolites than other infants.
- 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 most noteworthy metabolic pattern revealed by our study was the significance of acylcarnitines to identification of the likelihood of SIDS,” the study authors wrote.
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.
“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,” Warsh said.
Warsh said that two more metabolites stood out to him. One was the hormone 17-hydroxyprogesterone and the other was the amino acid tyrosine. Having abnormal levels of 17-hydroxyprogesterone may indicate a disrupted endocrine system, which can affect breathing and stress responses, Warsh said.
Tyrosine is involved in the production of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate stress and emotional responses.
Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
“There is no foolproof method to entirely eliminate the risk of sudden infant death syndrome,” Warsh said.
- Proper sleep positioning: Infants should be positioned on their backs during sleep, whether for naps or overnight, Warsh said. 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: Tobacco smoke during pregnancy and after birth increases SIDS risk.
- Introduce pacifiers: Providing a pacifier at nap times and bedtime has been linked with lower risk of SIDS. However, a pacifier should not be insisted upon if the infant declines it.