BRAIN-STEM NUCLEI IN SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME (SIDS) - VOLUMES, NEURONAL NUMBERS AND POSITIONS

It has been suggested that the defect underlying the sudden infant dea th syndrome (SIDS) lies in brain stem nuclei involved in cardiac and r espiratory function. However, most studies have not used rigorous quan titative techniques to assess brain stem nuclear volumes and neuronal numbers. We have measured the volume, neuronal numbers and position of brain stem nuclei in 11 SIDS and 11 aged-matched control infants. Usi ng serial sagittal sections, nuclei involved in maintaining airway pat ency (hypoglossal, ambiguus and retroambiguus), heart rate (dorsal vag al) and generation of respiratory rhythm (ambiguus and dorsal vagal) w ere studied. No significant differences were found in nuclear volume i ncrease with age, total neuronal number or nuclear position between SI DS and control cases. These findings support the hypothesis that the n ervous system in SIDS may be normal until the final event that kills t hese infants.