SIDS Not Linked to Babies Sleeping Position, But to Brain Stem Abnormalities

Researchers have discovered new evidence linking sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) to underlying abnormalities in babies' brain stems.

The scientists observed defects in a breathing-control region in the brains of babies whose deaths were attributed to sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. Interestingly enough, the abnormalities were found whether infants had been put to bed in a safe sleeping position-on their backs-or in unsafe sleeping positions on their bellies and face-down.

In a study released Monday, the investigators found that infants who had died suddenly and unexpectedly of SIDS, regardless of their sleep positions, had distinct differences in brain stem chemistry, lead investigator and neuropathologist Dr. Hannah Kinney of Boston Children's Hospital.

She said the findings, published in the December issue of the journal Pediatrics, are significant because they point to an underlying condition that may one day help identify and treat babies at risk.

"These babies look normal when they are awake," Kinney said. But their systems for controlling these vital functions are compromised.

This led them to conclude that SIDS is associated with underlying vulnerabilities, and that not all infants who die in compromised sleep environments are normal.

However, Dr. Kinney said the study, using autopsies from 71 infants who died suddenly between 1997 and 2008 in California, needs to replicated and repeated on a much wider scale.