INFECTIOUS AGENTS, THE INFLAMMATORY RESPONSES OF INFANTS AND SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME (SIDS)

There is no convincing epidemiological or pathological evidence that p articular infectious agents causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) ; therefore, we have explored the concept that synergy between bacteri al endotoxins, exotoxins or viruses might elicit inflammatory response s during a period when the infant's endocrine system is less able to ' damp down' the effect of powerful mediators such as tumour necrosis fa ctor or to maintain glucose homoeostasis which is affected by these me diators. This hypothesis is discussed with reference to the recent dec line in the number of cot deaths.