PROPOSED LINK BETWEEN HELICOBACTER-PYLORI AND SUDDEN-INFANT-DEATH-SYNDROME

Helicobacter pylori may be linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SID S) through synthesis of inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleuk in-l, which can produce fever, activation of the immune system, and in creased deep sleep. A relatively minor respiratory or enteric infectio n, together with overwrapping and prone sleep position could then indu ce terminal hypoxemia. Alternatively, H. pylori produces large amounts of urease which, if aspirated in gastric juice, could reach the alveo lae, react with plasma urea, and produce ammonia toxicity leading to r espiratory arrest. Epidemiological similarities between H. pylori and SIDS are presented along with possible transmission mechanisms for H. pylori which support this hypothesis.