The bacterium Helicobacter pylori may be a cause of sudden infant death syndrome
(SIDS), according to researchers from Manchester. A strong association between
SIDS and H pylori infection was found in a study by Dr Jonathan Kerr (infectious
diseases research group, Manchester Royal infirmary) and colleagues, who examined
the prevalence of H pylori in the stomach, trachea, and lung tissue of 32 SIDS
cases and eight controls who had died of other known causes.
Tissue samples were analysed for the presence of two genes, H pylori ureC and
cagA, which both indicate the likelihood of
H pylori infection, they say. One or both genes were present in one or more
tissue samples among 28 of the 32 SIDS cases compared with one of the eight
controls. The researchers note that the high prevalence of H pylori infection
in the SIDS babies (88 per cent) contrasts with the estimated prevalence of
infection in developed countries (2 per cent).
Commenting on the possible cause of death in SIDS babies, the researchers say
that infection with H pylori produces an inflammatory response and large amounts
of urease in the stomach. Aspiration of gastric juice, may lead to ammonia production
in the alveolae, which is then supplied directly to the systemic system where
it cannot be detoxified by the liver. The study is published in Archives of
Disease in Childhood (2000;83:429).