SIDS Blood Test Could Identify At-Risk Babies

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains the leading cause of death in babies between one month and one year old, with its causes largely unexplained. Researchers have now discovered blood markers linked to SIDS, paving the way for potential tests to identify infants at risk and contributing to understanding the underlying causes of the condition.

Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA, USA) analyzed blood serum samples from infants who died of SIDS, identifying specific biological indicators that could help identify warning signs in babies and potentially save lives. In their study, the team examined 828 different metabolites involved in processes like nerve cell communication, stress response, and hormone regulation. These processes could contribute to SIDS.

The researchers found variations in certain fats, specifically sphingomyelins, which are vital for brain and lung development. These differences could disrupt these processes, potentially increasing the risk of SIDS in some infants. After adjusting for factors like age, sex, race, and ethnicity, they identified 35 biomarkers of SIDS, including ornithine—a substance critical for ammonia disposal in urine—and a lipid metabolite linked to brain and lung health. This lipid metabolite is also considered a potential indicator for fetal heart defects.

“The results of this study are very exciting – we are getting closer to explaining the pathways leading to a SIDS death,” said Dr. Fern R. Hauck, a family medicine physician at UVA Health, director of the Chicago Infant Mortality Study and a leading expert on SIDS. “Our hope is that this research lays the groundwork to help identify – through simple blood tests – infants who are at higher risk for SIDS and to save these precious lives.”

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