Genetic disorder in Amish infants could hold key to cot death riddle

A NEW genetic disorder has been identified that may help solve the riddle of unexplained cot deaths, scientists revealed yesterday.

The defect is thought to have killed 21 infants from two generations of an American Amish community who died suddenly before their first birthday.

But the disorder, named sudden infant death and dysgenesis of the testes syndrome (SIDDT) by the researchers, might provide clues to the causes of other unexplained cases.