Uncovering the Biological Factors of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Researchers have found that a particular brain receptor likely involved in helping babies gasp for air was altered in some infants who died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The receptor in question is part of the serotonin system, which plays an important role in regulating involuntary body functions like heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. SIDS usually happens during an infant’s sleep, and though it's rare, it's the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year old in the U.S. No tests exist to reveal whether a baby has an underlying predisposition to SIDS, but parents can lower their baby's risk by following safe sleep guidelines, such as placing sleeping babies on their backs at all times and keeping their sleep area firm, flat, and free of soft toys and bedding.