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HomeHealthUnusual Metabolite Levels at Birth Linked to Higher SIDS Risk

Unusual Metabolite Levels at Birth Linked to Higher SIDS Risk

A recent study revealed that newborns exhibiting an unusual metabolite pattern are over 14 times more likely to succumb to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared to those with standard metabolic patterns. Funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, this research indicates that metabolites—molecules resulting from the body’s biochemical processes—can be critical indicators. The study’s findings highlighted that infants who passed away from SIDS presented a distinct metabolite pattern when compared to those who survived their first year. The researchers suggest that screening for these specific patterns may help in pinpointing infants at heightened risk for SIDS. This investigation was led by Scott Oltman, M.S., from the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and is published in JAMA Pediatrics.

SIDS, which refers to the sudden and unexplained death of an infant younger than one year that remains an enigma even after thorough investigation, was analyzed in this study. Researchers gathered data from over 2 million infants born in California, specifically comparing the newborn screening results of 354 SIDS cases with those of 1,416 infants who lived beyond their first year. All newborns in the state undergo screenings for numerous serious health conditions. These tests include assessments of metabolites, which serve as indicators for various disorders. In this study, infants identified with the highest-risk metabolic profile involving eight specific metabolites were 14.4 times more likely to experience SIDS compared to those with the lowest-risk profile.

The researchers posit that metabolic profiling may be instrumental in identifying infants at risk for SIDS shortly after birth, potentially guiding initiatives aimed at reducing SIDS occurrences. Furthermore, investigating the biochemical pathways responsible for the metabolites associated with SIDS could provide valuable insights into the underlying causes and preventive measures. Funding for this research was facilitated by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).