Genetic disorder may explain cot deaths

SCIENTISTS in the US say they have found the strongest evidence yet that cot death is caused partly by a genetic disorder, which may one day be treatable.

A new study funded by the American government’s medical research agency found that babies who died mysteriously in their sleep had abnormalities in the part of the brain that controls breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and arousal.

The problems appeared to affect the brainstem’s ability to use and recycle serotonin, impairing an infant’s ability to sense high amounts of carbon dioxide and low oxygen levels and prevent itself from asphyxiating, the team said.