DEFICIENT HEAT-SHOCK PROTEIN EXPRESSION - A POTENTIAL MECHANISM FOR THE SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME

Induction of heat shock proteins follows a metabolic stress and protec ts from subsequent stresses. Stressors proposed for the sudden infant death syndrome include infection, environmentally-induced hyperthermia and hypoxia. Failure to express heat shock proteins to such stressful conditions may lead to reduced tolerance, and enhance inappropriate p hysiologic responses and vulnerability which ultimately may lead to in fant death.