Cot deaths linked to genes defects

SCIENTISTS have discovered more genetic mutations that appear to be linked with sudden infant death syndrome, otherwise known as cot death.

Like those previously discovered, the errors lie in genes involved with involuntary body functions like heart beat and breathing.

These defects were more common in cot death babies, the researchers from Rush University in the US found in their study of 184 babies, which was published in Paediatric Research.

This should further enlighten scientists’ understanding of the causes of sudden infant deaths, according to the authors.

Dr Debra Weese-Mayer and colleagues focused their attention on genes crucial to the embryo to develop this “involuntary” or autonomic part of the nervous system. They compared the genetic material of 92 cot death babies and 92 healthy babies.

They found 11 gene mutations in 14 of the cot death babies but only one of these mutations in two of the healthy babies.

“This data represents further refinement of the genetic profile that might place an infant at increased risk for SIDS,” she said.

Joyce Epstein, involved with the Sudden Infant Death Foundation, said the findings supported the notion that genetic variations in the parts of the brain that control breathing and arousal from sleep might account for why some babies are at increased risk of SIDS.