Abstract
Current evidence suggests that multiple neural mechanisms contribute to the fatal lethal event in SIDS. The processes may develop from a range of otherwise seemingly-innocuous circumstances, such as unintended external airway obstruction or accidental extreme flexion of the head of an already-compromised structure of the infant upper airway. The fatal event may occur in a sleep state which can suppress muscle tone essential to restore airway patency or exert muscle action to overcome a profound loss of blood pressure. Neural processes that could overcome those transient events with reflexive compensation appear to be impaired in SIDS infants. The evidence ranges from subtle physiological signs that appear very early in life, to autopsy findings of altered neurotransmitter, including serotonergic, systems that have extensive roles in breathing, cardiovascular regulation, and thermal control. Determination of the fundamental basis of SIDS is critical to provide biologic plausibility to SIDS risk reduction messages and to develop specific prevention strategies.
Keywords: Apnea, brainstem, cerebellum, chemoreception, hypotension, serotonin
Current Pediatric Reviews
Title: Potential Mechanisms of Failure in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Volume: 6 Issue: 1
Author(s): Ronald M. Harper and Hannah C. Kinney
Affiliation:
Keywords: Apnea, brainstem, cerebellum, chemoreception, hypotension, serotonin
Abstract: Current evidence suggests that multiple neural mechanisms contribute to the fatal lethal event in SIDS. The processes may develop from a range of otherwise seemingly-innocuous circumstances, such as unintended external airway obstruction or accidental extreme flexion of the head of an already-compromised structure of the infant upper airway. The fatal event may occur in a sleep state which can suppress muscle tone essential to restore airway patency or exert muscle action to overcome a profound loss of blood pressure. Neural processes that could overcome those transient events with reflexive compensation appear to be impaired in SIDS infants. The evidence ranges from subtle physiological signs that appear very early in life, to autopsy findings of altered neurotransmitter, including serotonergic, systems that have extensive roles in breathing, cardiovascular regulation, and thermal control. Determination of the fundamental basis of SIDS is critical to provide biologic plausibility to SIDS risk reduction messages and to develop specific prevention strategies.
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Cite this article as:
M. Harper Ronald and C. Kinney Hannah, Potential Mechanisms of Failure in the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Current Pediatric Reviews 2010; 6 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339610791317214
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339610791317214 |
Print ISSN 1573-3963 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-6336 |
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