RETROGRADE AXONAL CYTOKINE TRANSPORT - A PATHWAY FOR IMMUNOSTIMULATION IN THE BRAIN INDUCING HYPOXIA AND SUDDEN INFANT DEATH

The etiology and pathogenesis of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) r emain unknown. A hypothesis for SIDS should explain three characterist ic findings: (a) an age distribution peaking at 2-4 months; (b) freque nt association with respiratory tract infections; and (c) occurrence d uring sleep. The diagnosis of SIDS is applied when death cannot be exp lained, and this syndrome therefore probably includes various underlyi ng causes. Based on recent observations, however, we suggest a pathoge nic pathway that might be common to most SIDS victims.