Biomarkers for SIDS found in blood samples

Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) have revealed the fingerprints of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) within blood samples, which could open the door to simple tests to identify babies at risk. Their research speaks to the potential of metabolomics — the analysis of substances called metabolites produced by cells — for better understanding and treating complex diseases.

The UVA researchers analysed blood serum samples collected from 300 infants who died from SIDS who were included in the Chicago Infant Mortality Study and the National Institutes of Health’s NeuroBioBank. The team assessed levels of 828 different metabolites in key biological processes such as nerve cell communication, stress response and hormone regulation — processes that could be contributors to SIDS.

“Our study is the largest study to date that has attempted to detect how these small molecules in the blood may serve as biomarkers for SIDS,” said Dr Keith L Keene, founding Director of UVA’s Center for Health Equity and Precision Public Health and now at East Carolina University.

After adjusting for factors that could bias the results, such as the infants’ age, sex, and race and ethnicity, the researchers identified 35 predictors of SIDS. These ‘biomarkers’ included ornithine, a substance critical to the body’s ability to dispose of ammonia in urine. The amino acid has already been identified as a potential contributor to SIDS.

Another predictor was a lipid metabolite that is critical for brain and lung health. This metabolite is already considered a potential indicator for the development of fetal heart defects during the first trimester of pregnancy.

“We found differences in specific fats, called sphingomyelins, which are critical for brain and lung development,” said researcher Chad Aldridge. “Differences in these fats may disrupt these critical processes, placing some infants at risk for SIDS.”

While further research is needed to determine if the metabolites are contributing to SIDS, the researchers say their findings — which have been published in eBioMedicine — lay an important foundation for unravelling the mysteries of SIDS and developing blood tests that could potentially save new parents from heartbreak.

“The results of this study are very exciting — we are getting closer to explaining the pathways leading to a SIDS death,” said Dr Fern R Hauck, Director of the Chicago Infant Mortality Study and a leading expert on SIDS. “Our hope is that this research lays the groundwork to help identify — through simple blood tests — infants who are at higher risk for SIDS and to save these precious lives.”

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