Researchers found that babies with low levels of serotonin, found in thegastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, were less able torespond to life-threatening challenges such as a lack of oxygen duringsleep.
The team from Harvard Medical School in Massachusetts examined the braintissue of babies who had died of cot death and similar conditions.
They found that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) children had 26 percent less serotonin than those who had died of other causes.
Dr Jhodie Duncan, lead author of the study, said, 'SIDS currently takesthe life of one in every 2,000 infants. Massive national campaignsdecades ago highlighted the risks associated with particular sleepingpositions for infants under one year of age. Those campaigns worked toreduce SIDS related deaths substantially, but over the past decade thenumbers have plateaued. We hope this research takes us a step closer toa cure.'
Scientific adviser for the UK charity the Foundation for the Study ofInfant Deaths, Professor George Haycock, said, 'The findings supportwhat we already know about the involvement of serotonin in SIDS. Babieswho die of SIDS show differences in the system which controls bloodpressure, breathing, temperature regulation and arousal from sleep. Westill do not know why these differences occur. Genetics may play a partas well as environmental factors like smoking. At present, a test onserotonin levels can only be conducted after death, so there is nopossibility of identifying those at risk.
'Parents can help to protect their babies by following our reduce therisk advice: Don't smoke; breastfeed; and sleep baby on the back in aseparate cot in a room with the parents.'
