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Infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Differential prediction for three siblings of SIDS infants

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Abstract

The outcome for three siblings of SIDS (SSIDS) infants was predicted, using as a risk model the sleep and respiratory characteristics of a SIDS victim studied extensively during the neonatal period. The SIDS infant had shown unstable state organization and deviant respiration patterns, including a deficit of brief apneic pauses. Like the SIDS infant, the SSIDS infants and a group of 16 normal infants were observed in the home for 7-hr periods when they were 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks old. Two of the infants showed normal sleep and respiratory characteristics, and they were predicted to develop without respiratory dysfunction. In contrast, the third infant showed a pattern of deviancies similar to the SIDS infant; and at 4 months, she had prolonged apneic episodes, requiring resuscitation on two occasions. The findings are consistent with the notion of subtle central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction in SIDS risk infants from the time of birth.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biobehavioral Sciences Graduate Degree Program, University of Connecticut, 3107 Horsebarn Hill Road, Box U-154, 06268, Storrs, Connecticut

    Evelyn B. Thoman, Diane Holditch Davis, Susan Graham & John P. Scholz

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut Health Center, 06032, Farmington, Connecticut

    Jonelle C. Rowe

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  1. Evelyn B. Thoman
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  2. Diane Holditch Davis
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  3. Susan Graham
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  4. John P. Scholz
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  5. Jonelle C. Rowe
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The preparation of this paper was supported by Grant MH 41244 from the National Institute of Mental Health, Center for Prevention Research, Division of Prevention and Special Mental Health Programs.

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Thoman, E.B., Davis, D.H., Graham, S. et al. Infants at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS): Differential prediction for three siblings of SIDS infants. J Behav Med 11, 565–583 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00844906

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