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$Title{Sudden Infant Death Syndrome}
$Subject{Sudden Infant Death Syndrome SIDS Cot Death Crib Death }
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Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1991 National Organization for Rare Disorders,
Inc.

194:
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of the article (Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome) is not the name you expected.  Please check the SYNONYMS listing to
find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.

Synonyms

     SIDS
     Cot Death
     Crib Death

General Discussion

** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only.  It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes.  If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.


Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of any infant or
young child which is unexpected by history and in which no adequate cause for
death can be found.  The disorder occurs in children under the age of one
year.

Symptoms

Infants with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are pale or may have bluish skin as
a result of receiving insufficient oxygen, are limp, and are not breathing
during a time when they are presumed to be sleeping.

Causes

The cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is not understood.  It may be
caused by prolonged apnea (cessation of breathing) during sleep or other
still unknown causes.  SIDS is responsible for the death of approximately
7,000 infants each year in the United States.  It has been estimated that,
annually, up to two deaths per 1,000 live births will be the direct result of
SIDS.

A relationship between SIDS and DPT vaccinations has been ruled out in a
study conducted during the early 1980's.

In 1990 researchers discovered that a few babies who had died of SIDS
lacked a certain enzyme that is needed to break down short-chain fatty acids.
The beta oxidation defects cause fatty change in the liver muscle and
swelling of the brain.  They suspect that this defect may only cause symptoms
after a long period of fasting (not eating) which triggers low blood sugar
and high concentrations of lactic acid in these children.  The enzyme
deficiency is inherited.  However, more research is needed to confirm this
theory.

Affected Population

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome occurs in children under one year of age.

Seventy-five percent of deaths occur between two to six months of life.  Only
very rarely does the condition occur in the first 3 weeks of life or beyond
the end of the first year.

Therapies:  Standard

To prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, home apnea/cardiac monitors may be
used for children who are suspect for the disorder from family history.
Respiratory stimulants such as theophylline or caffeine are sometimes
prescribed, and medical or surgical therapy is used to correct abnormalities
such as gastroesophageal reflux (return flow of stomach contents into the
esophagus).  Another form of therapy is cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the
child stops breathing.

The Food & Drug Administration has warned that availability of home
apnea/cardiac monitors has led parents to purchase these machines with no
reason to suspect that their infant is at risk for SIDS.  Apnea/cardiac
monitors should be purchased only under the advice of a physician who is
knowledgeable about the effectiveness and safety of these devices.

Therapies:  Investigational

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through March
1991.  Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.  Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.

Resources

For more information on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, please contact:

     National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
     P.O. Box 8923
     New Fairfield, CT  06812-1783
     (203) 746-6518

     National SIDS Clearinghouse
     3520 Prospect St., Ground Floor, Suite 1
     Washington, DC  20057
     (202) 625-8410

     National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Foundation (NSIDSF)
     Two Metro Plaza, Suite 205
     8240 Professional Place
     Landover, MD  20785
     (301) 459-3388
     (800) 221-SIDS

     Council of Guilds for Infant Survival
     P.O. Box 3841
     Davenport, IA  52808
     (319) 322-4870

     United SIDS Awareness Inc.
     Family and Friends of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Victims
     International Headquarters
     3901-3 West Dakin Street
     Chicago, IL  60618
     (312) 583-3786

     NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke (NINDS)
     9000 Rockville Pike
     Bethesda, MD  20892
     (301) 496-5751
     (800) 352-9424

References

THE MERCK MANUAL 15th ed:  R. Berkow, et al:  eds; Merck, Sharp & Dohme
Research Laboratories, 1987.  Pp. 1888, 1921.

CECIL TEXTBOOK OF MEDICINE, 18th ed.:  James B. Wyngaarden, and Lloyd H.
Smith, Jr., Eds.:  W. B. Saunders Co., 1988.  P. 2079.