THE ESSENTIAL
- Scientists have identified biomarkers in babies’ blood that could predict the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
- These discoveries pave the way for blood tests to detect infants at risk.
- However, further research needs to be conducted to validate these biomarkers in other cohorts.
Sudden infant death syndrome is the leading cause of death in infants between 1 month and 1 year old, according to the MSD Manual. This cause accounts for 35 to 55% of all deaths in this age group. Until now, doctors have been unable to prevent this event, the reason for which remains unknown.
Biomarkers visible in the blood
But a new study, published in the journal eBioMedicinecould change things. The researchers of the University of Virginiain the United States, have just discovered predictive factors – or biomarkers – of sudden infant death syndrome, present in the blood of babies.
In their study, scientists analyzed blood samples taken from 300 infants who died from sudden death syndrome. Thus, they succeeded in identifying specific biological indicators, these biomarkers, linked to the death of babies.
“To date, our study is the largest to attempt to identify these small molecules in the blood [et la façon dont elles] can serve as biomarkers of sudden infant death syndrome, says Keith L. Keene, one of the authors, in a communiqué. Our results show the role of several key biological pathways and provide insight into how these biological processes may contribute to increased risk or serve to diagnose sudden infant death syndrome.”
-Towards blood tests to identify babies at risk of sudden death
During their work, the researchers adjusted for factors likely to bias the results, such as the babies’ age, gender and ethnic origin. Thus, they identified 35 predictive factors for sudden infant death syndrome. Among these biomarkers, for example, was ornithine, a substance that helps eliminate ammonia in urine.
These results could pave the way for blood tests using these biomarkers to identify babies at risk and prevent sudden infant death. But the researchers caution that before that happens, more research needs to be done to validate these biomarkers in other cohorts.
“We hope this research lays the foundation to help identify, through simple blood tests, infants at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome, and to save these precious lives.”, concludes Fern R. Hauck, one of the authors.
