Atypical Metabolite Levels at Birth Linked to Increased SIDS Risk, Study Finds

A recent study, partially funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has found that newborns with atypical metabolite levels are significantly more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than those with typical metabolic patterns. Researchers discovered that babies with a specific metabolite pattern were 14.4 times more likely to die of SIDS compared to infants with normal metabolite levels. The findings suggest that screening for these metabolic patterns at birth could help identify infants at a higher risk of SIDS, allowing for early interventions.

Understanding SIDS and Metabolites

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexplained death of an infant under the age of one that remains a mystery even after thorough investigations. This study, led by Scott Oltman, M.S., from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, compared the newborn screening test results of 354 infants who died of SIDS with those of 1,416 infants who survived past their first year. These tests typically screen for metabolites, which are molecules produced during the body’s various chemical reactions and can serve as indicators of certain disorders and conditions.

Key Findings of the Study

Researchers identified a unique metabolic profile, involving eight specific metabolites, that was strongly associated with SIDS risk. Infants with the highest-risk metabolic patterns were over 14 times more likely to experience SIDS compared to those with the lowest-risk profiles. Given that California routinely screens all newborns for a range of metabolic disorders, this study highlights the potential of using these screening results to predict SIDS risk.

Implications for Reducing SIDS Risk

The study’s findings suggest that testing for metabolite patterns at birth could be a valuable tool in identifying infants who are at an increased risk of SIDS. Early identification could lead to targeted interventions and potentially reduce the occurrence of SIDS. Additionally, further research into the biochemical pathways involved in producing these metabolites may provide deeper insights into the underlying causes of SIDS and new strategies for prevention.

The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics and received funding from the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).