Potential genetic link in sudden infant death syndrome

Rare genetic mutations associated with impairment of the breathing muscles are more common in children who have died from sudden infant death syndrome, according to a new study led by UCL researchers. The study, published in The Lancet , suggests a possible genetic element of the disorder, which is also known as 'cot death'. "Our study is the first to link a genetic cause of weaker breathing muscles with sudden infant death syndrome, and suggests that genes controlling breathing muscle function could be important in this condition. However, more research will be needed to confirm and fully understand this link," said the study's senior author Professor Michael Hanna (UCL Institute of Neurology). These mutations are very rare, and typically found in fewer than five people in every 100,000. However, the study found mutations of this kind in four of the 278 children who had died of sudden infant death syndrome, compared to none of the 729 healthy controls.  "We think the genetic mutations we found may have contributed to why some of these infants died but are likely to have interacted with other risk factors and would not necessarily be the sole cause of death," said the study's last author, Dr Emma Matthews (UCL Institute of Neurology). Sudden infant death syndrome is the unexpected death of a seemingly healthy child.