What Is the mechanism of SIDS? Clues from epidemiology

Edwin A. Mitchell

doi:10.1002/dev.20369

journal article Feb 17, 2009

What Is the mechanism of SIDS? Clues from epidemiology

Edwin A. Mitchell

Developmental Psychobiology Vol. 51 No. 3 pp. 215-222 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/dev.20369

Abstract

AbstractThe cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unknown. Many mechanisms have been postulated, although thermal stress, rebreathing of expired gases and infection/inflammation seem the most viable hypotheses for the causation of SIDS. Deaths from SIDS have reduced dramatically following the recommendation not to place infants to sleep prone. Epidemiological data have shown that prone sleeping position is more risky in winter, colder latitudes, higher altitudes, if the infant is unwell or has excessive bedding or clothing. This suggests prone sleeping position involves either directly or indirectly a thermal mechanism. SIDS caused by an infective/inflammatory mechanism might be associated with deaths occurring during the night. Rebreathing of expired gases, airway obstruction, long QT syndrome and other genetic conditions may explain a small number of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 51: 215–222, 2009

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Details

Published: Feb 17, 2009
Vol/Issue: 51(3)
Pages: 215-222
License: View

Authors

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Edwin A. Mitchell

Cite This Article

Edwin A. Mitchell (2009). What Is the mechanism of SIDS? Clues from epidemiology. Developmental Psychobiology, 51(3), 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1002/dev.20369

What Is the mechanism of SIDS? Clues from epidemiology

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