A marker that could help identify babies at a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has been discovered by Sydney researchers.
The study conducted by The Children's Hospital Westmead confirmed what had long been suspected — that SIDS victims were unable to wake themselves up — but it went one step further by providing the why.
The enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) plays a major role in the "brain's arousal pathway" and was found at "significantly lower" levels in babies who die of SIDS.
[...] "Usually, if a baby is confronted with a life-threatening situation, such as difficulty breathing during sleep because they're on their tummies, they will arouse and cry out.
"What this research shows is that some babies don't have this same robust arousal response.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 10 2022, @08:12PM
Yes, around here the building code specifies a maximum opening to prevent much of that. But anything predating the change of not permitted could still carry that risk. Then there's all the used baby gear that might have been recalled, but not sent back for repair it replacement.