Infection and food: a factor in sudden infant death syndrome?

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2004 Sep 1;42(1):66-75. doi: 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.06.017.

Abstract

Despite the identification of risk factors for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and decreased SIDS rates in many countries, there is still no coherent, widely accepted, mechanistic explanation for SIDS. As an extension of our work on the infectious aetiology of SIDS, we have explored the prediction that infectious agents might reach susceptible infants and babies, via particular sources of food. In this ecological study, we demonstrated significant correlations between SIDS rates and exposure to meat from some sources, and we propose that more detailed studies be carried out.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Diet*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infections / complications*
  • Meat*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sudden Infant Death / epidemiology
  • Sudden Infant Death / etiology*