At last! Researchers may have solved the mystery of what causes some babies die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Levels of serotonin, which regulate a baby’s sleep, heart rate and breathing, were 26 percent lower in the brainstems of babies who died of SIDS than in those of babies who died of other causes, the study says.
Serotonin normally helps babies respond to high carbon-dioxide levels during sleep by helping them wake up and shift their head position to get fresh air.
Currently, there is no test to determine which infants may be at risk for SIDS. To avoid the risk of SIDS, parents should make sure that babies can breathe uninhibited during sleep: Place babies on their backs to avoid their rolling over, don’t over-bundle the baby, and don’t leave loose bedding or stuffed toys in the crib.
