The Science (or Nonscience) of Research Into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Abstract

This Viewpoint paper presents a timely and constructive critique of mainstream SIDS research. It is concerning that twenty-first century medical science has not provided an answer to the tragic enigma of SIDS. The paper helps explain why this is so and illustrates possible shortcomings in the investigation of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SIDS/SUID) by mainstream researchers. Mainstream findings are often based on questionable and dogmatic assumptions that return to founding notions such as the Triple Risk Hypothesis and the contention that the mechanisms underlying SIDS/SUID are heterogeneous in nature. The paper illustrates how the pathological findings in SIDS have been under-investigated (or ignored) and that key epidemiological risk factors have slipped from memory. This apparent amnesia has resulted in failure to use these established SIDS facts to substantiate the significance of various neuropathological, neurochemical, or other research findings. These unsupported findings and their derivative hypotheses are therefore ill-founded and lack scientific rigor.ConclusionThe deficits of SIDS “science” revealed in this paper explain why the SIDS enigma has not yet been solved. To make progress in understanding SIDS, it is important that researchers, as scientists, uphold standards of research. Encouragement for new directions of research is offered.

Epidemiology of sudden infant death syndrome in Mexico, 2005–2020

“…In our study, 95% of deaths classified as SIDS occurred in this period, as reported previously in countries such as Denmark, UK, Canada, US and Sweden (80%–90%) ( 3 , 6 , 21 ); nevertheless, we found that 38% of deaths due to SIDS occurred in infants under one month of age. In several reports' incidence of SIDS peaks between 2 and 4 months of age ( 5 , 8 , 21 , 35 ). In our series, 58% of cases occurred during the first two months of age and as age progresses, the incidence decreased ( Figure 5 ).…”

“…The frequency doubles in the autumn and winter months, in contrast to the hot and dry months. (increase in exposure to viral infections, as well as to the babies' dressing habits, for example, excessive shelter) (8,18) countries; the total rate of SUID was estimated at 34.9 per 100,000 live births, ranging from 12 to 76.4 among countries; Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and the United Kingdom reduced their mortality rates from this cause and mortality rates due to SIDS also decreased, however mortality rates due to unknown/unattended/unspecified causes increased (34). This also has been documented in the US, SUID rates declined from 154.6 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 90.1 in 2019; SIDS rates also declined from 130.2 in 1990 to 33.3 in 2019 (16), although SIDS mortality rates declined, ASSB mortality rates increased; researchers have hypothesized that the continued decline may be due to changes in reporting or better diagnostic practices (37-39).…”

“…SIDS is defined as "the sudden unexpected death of an infant younger than one year of age, with onset of the fatal episode apparently occurring during sleep, that remains unexplained after a thorough investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy and review of the circumstances of death and the clinical history" (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

“…The frequency doubles in the autumn and winter months, in contrast to the hot and dry months. (increase in exposure to viral infections, as well as to the babies’ dressing habits, for example, excessive shelter) ( 8 , 18 )…”

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Pulmonary Edema, and Sodium Toxicity: A Grounded Theory

“…Among the distinctive features of SIDS, small blood vessel haemorrhages appear on the surface of the heart, lungs, and thymus, called intrathoracic petechiae; “ the almost universal finding of intrathoracic petechiae in SIDS stands out as a poorly investigated phenomenon” [ 49 ]. Early investigators suggested petechiae in SIDS were caused by respiratory obstruction, although similar petechiae in infants were not found in cases of suffocation or asphyxia [ 50 ].…”