New research revealing distinct markers for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in blood samples could lead to simple tests that help identify infants who may be at risk.
A recent study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has identified specific markers associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in blood samples, potentially leading to easy tests for identifying infants who are at risk.
This finding is an important step forward in understanding SIDS, which remains the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age and is still largely unexplained.
Researchers at UVA analyzed blood serum from infants who died from SIDS and discovered distinct biological markers that might be connected to the causes of such tragic outcomes.
The researchers suggest that tests designed to identify these markers could ultimately save lives.
“Our study is the largest conducted so far aimed at exploring how these small molecules found in blood could act as biomarkers for SIDS,” said Keith L. Keene, PhD, who is the founding director of UVA’s Center for Health Equity and Precision Public Health and now affiliated with East Carolina University. “Our findings highlight the involvement of several key biological processes and provide insights into how these factors may either increase the risk of SIDS or help in its diagnosis.”
Understanding SIDS
The recent study showcases the potential of “metabolomics,” which focuses on the analysis of metabolites produced by cells, to enhance our understanding and management of complex diseases, as noted by the researchers.
In their investigation into SIDS, the UVA team analyzed blood serum samples from 300 infants participating in the Chicago Infant Mortality Study and the National Institutes of Health’s NeuroBioBank. They assessed the concentrations of 828 different metabolites involved in crucial biological processes such as nerve communication, stress responses, and hormone regulation—factors that may be linked to SIDS.
After controlling for potential biases related to age, sex, and ethnicity, researchers pinpointed 35 predictors for SIDS. One of these markers was ornithine, a compound important for the elimination of ammonia through urine, which has previously been associated with SIDS.
Another significant predictor identified was a lipid metabolite essential for brain and lung health, previously acknowledged as a potential marker for fetal heart defects in the first trimester of pregnancy.
“We observed differences in specific fats known as sphingomyelins, which are crucial for the development of the brain and lungs,” stated Chad Aldridge, DPT, MS-CR, from the Department of Neurology at the School of Medicine. “Changes in these fats could disrupt vital developmental processes, placing certain infants at risk for SIDS.”
The UVA researchers stress the need for further studies to determine whether these metabolites genuinely influence the risk of SIDS. Nonetheless, they believe this research sets an essential groundwork for probing the complexities of SIDS and creating potential blood tests that could prevent parents from enduring tragic losses.
“These findings are hopeful—we are getting closer to uncovering the mechanisms behind SIDS-related deaths,” remarked researcher Fern R. Hauck, MD, MS, a family medicine physician at UVA Health, the director of the Chicago Infant Mortality Study, and a prominent expert on SIDS. “Our aspiration is that this research will ultimately empower us to recognize infants at elevated risk for SIDS through straightforward blood tests, thus safeguarding these vulnerable lives.”
