Simultaneous sudden unexpected death in infancy of twins: case report

Abstract

Simultaneous sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in twins is an extremely rare event. Some believe these are natural deaths, whereas others suggest they are unnatural. We report monozygotic twins dying at 12 weeks of age. Extensive investigation concluded that the cause of death was natural. Our case fulfilled the criteria of simultaneous SIDS in twins. However, thermal stress due to excessive thermal insulation, use of a pillow and placing twins in the same cot all represent a potentially unsafe sleeping environment. We recommend the term "simultaneous sudden unexpected death in infancy of twins" to describe such cases.

The prevalence of cobedding and SIDS-related child care practices in twins

“…No information was provided about the other set. The cobedded case has since been further examined [24] with the conclusion being that the deaths were likely to be of natural causes although the twins were in a potentially unsafe environment.…”

Vaccines and sudden infant death: An analysis of the VAERS database 1990–2019 and review of the medical literature

“…According to Bass [ 36 ], "the likelihood of twin infants dying suddenly and simultaneously of SIDS, a natural disorder, defies credibility." Mitchell et al [ 37 ] published a case report describing 12-week-old identical twins who died "lying on their backs." Although their deaths were labeled SIDS, 5 days prior to death they each received multiple vaccines concurrently, including DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis), oral polio, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib).…”

Is excess male infant mortality from sudden infant death syndrome and other respiratory diseases X‐linked?

“…It has been suggested from subsequent sibling and twin studies that a single high penetrance genetic defect would be unlikely to cause SIDS in the vast majority of cases, because having a sibling who has died from SIDS only poses a slight increase in risk of SIDS and simultaneous SIDS death of both twins is extremely rare. This suggestion would be true if the proposed X‐linked recessive allele were lethal per se or all monozygotic twin pairs had identical nongenetic SIDS risk factors, such as exactly the same sleeping position, same physiological anaemia, same low‐grade prodromal respiratory infection and same neurological prematurity .…”