A study published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology revealed that certain brain abnormalities have been found in infants who died from Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Researchers have been attempting to determine why some healthy newborns under one year unexpectedly pass away in their sleep suddenly. With 103 deaths per 100,000 infants, SIDS is the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States.

According to the latest research, specific brain receptors in newborns who died from SIDS had defects that prevented them from waking up and breathing normally. Based on the earlier studies in rat models that had shown the same type of brain receptors responsible for respiratory activities that safeguard them while they sleep, the researchers decided to examine the molecular structure of the babies brains.

The researchers compared the brain stems of 70 infants, some of whom passed away from SIDS and others from other reasons. Although significant discrepancies were observed, scientists noted that further research is still required to determine the association between the abnormalities and the causes of mortality.

Experts have advised that safe sleep practices are still essential because there is no way to identify infants with brain abnormalities, according to scientists.

The American Academy of Paediatrics has recommended several steps for ensuring a safe sleeping environment among infants, such as placing infants on their backs on a hard surface, etc. Although education programs aimed at parents and carers in the 1990s were observed to be beneficial, SIDS rates have stayed constant since the techniques became widely accepted.

(Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/992486)