INTERNATIONAL research supported by Geelong-based charity River\u2019s Gift has uncovered a developmental abnormality in babies \u2013 especially in premature babies and in boys \u2013 that for the first time has been directly linked to cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).<\/p>\n
Researchers believe this abnormality, in the brain\u2019s control of head and neck movement, breathing, heartbeat and the body\u2019s responses to deprivation of oxygen supply, could be the reason why some babies sleeping on their front are more at risk of SIDS.<\/p>\n
The research was conducted by Dr Fiona Bright and Professor Roger Byard, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, in collaboration with Professor Hannah Kinney\u2019s lab at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n
The results of the study, which investigated 55 SIDS cases in the United States, have been published in journal PLOS ONE.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons why SIDS is so devastating for families is that death often occurs with no warning and no obvious signs of illness,\u201d Dr Bright said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the exact cause of death in SIDS has not been identified, multiple studies have pointed to a subset of SIDS babies that are not entirely \u2018normal\u2019 before death. These infants all seem to have some form of underlying vulnerability, exposing them to increased risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur studies have now discovered a significant abnormality within key regions of the brainstem in SIDS babies, specifically in parts of the brainstem that control breathing and movements of the head and neck. This abnormality is directly linked to SIDS cases.\u201d<\/p>\n
River\u2019s Gift founder and general manager Karl Waddell said the charity\u2019s main objective was to fund world-leading SIDS research to make a major contribution to the discovery of a cure for this heart-breaking loss of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are excited about these latest research findings, which show tangible evidence as to the underlying cause of SIDS in a number of cases.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this research will eventually assist in the quest to stamp out SIDS.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
INTERNATIONAL research supported by Geelong-based charity River\u2019s Gift has uncovered a developmental abnormality in babies \u2013 especially in premature babies and in boys \u2013 that for the first time has been directly linked to cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Researchers believe this abnormality, in the brain\u2019s control of head and neck movement, breathing, […]<\/p>\n