Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is still today a leading cause of babies’ mortality. Most cases occur till one year from birth having a peak incidence between the ages of two to four month-aged babies. Usually the clinical picture starts by putting a healthy baby to sleep in bed and horrifyingly finding him dead in the morning with apparently no clue as to the cause of death. SIDS is declared after a formal clinical investigation including an autopsy aimed at elimination of any alternative explanation to the cause of death such as known genetic defect(s), existing cardiopulmonary disorder, metabolic or any other known disease or disorder.

Factors leading to SIDS

Despite many years of clinical investigations and intensive scientific research the pathophysiological factors leading to the tragic event are still unknown.  Cardiopulmonary disorders involving sleep apnea (cessation of breathing) or immaturity of specific central nervous system (brain) site(s), has been suggested and

seem like leading candidates.

Nevertheless, in spite of unknowing the causes leading to SIDS cascade, the phenomenon has been reduced with the “back to sleep” campaign which recommended the positioning of the babies, while being put in bed to sleep, laying on their backs. The back placement of the babies has brought nowadays SIDS events to happen 0.6 to 2.5 casualties per 1000 live births which makes it quite a common syndrome.  

Novel findings

Recently, a specific brain – circuit involved in SIDS cascade of events has been detected. A novel, non-invasive accurate biophysical method (BDTAK) has been developed to monitor the activity of this brain – circuit. Identifying abnormal functioning immediately imply an elevated risk for undergoing SIDS event for the newborn baby.

Preventing SIDS

Recognizing the existence of a genetic load for determination of the smooth activity of this brain's circuit, it became possible to identify whether any such risk factor(s) are present within the genetics of the parents of the future planned baby. Elevated risk parents are encouraged to follow strict rigorous preventive recommended measurements in order to further reduce the chance of tackling such a devastating event.

Future research

Future efforts are nowadays extended to develop a fully automatic means to prevent SIDS.

Today, BDTAK is designated specifically for:

Early detection of possible risk factor(s) for SIDS among healthy couples prior to conception..

Identification and evaluation of the individual parent risk-level ranging from low, moderate to high-risk levels.

Identification of the baby’s risk-level to encounter SIDS event after labor.

Situated at the moderate to high risk levels for either parents or the baby would enable the parents to take all precautions and preventive steps to minimize the chance prior to the SIDS event.

BDTAK as well as recommendations for preventive precautions to reduce SIDS are extended.