DIGOXIN-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN EARLY INFANTILE DEATH

The aim of this study was to determine if the level of digoxin-like im munoreactivity in past-mortem sera obtained from infants differs accor ding to the cause of death and if the level is related to age, post-mo rtem interval, cardiac pathology or adrenal weight. Twelve infants who se deaths were attributed to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and 11 infants who died from other causes, had blood sampled between 3 to 53 hours post-mortem from their right atrial cavity. Digoxin-like immu noreactivity was measured, using a specific and sensitive digoxin radi oimmunoassay, and was detected in 7 of the infants who died of SIDS an d 7 of those who died from other causes. The highest levels were seen in two patients who died from meningococcal sepsis and haemorrhage, hy perpyrexia and encephalopathy syndrome, respectively. No correlation w as detected between the digoxin-like immunoreactivity level, gender, a ge at death, post-mortem interval or cardiac pathology. Digoxin-like i mmunoreactivity levels correlated with adrenal weight. It is concluded that digoxin-like immunoreactivity is frequently found in infant sera , but levels are not specific to and are no higher in SIDS infants tha n infants dying of other conditions.