Cot-death probed for link to teen fatalities

Fifty infants who died of cot death are helping researchers study a leading cause of sudden death in teenagers.

The babies' blood is being tested to investigate a possible link between sudden infant death syndrome (Sids) and a heart disease known as long QT syndrome (LQTS).

The blood samples, taken routinely in a heel prick after birth and then stored, are being tested to see if they contained an LQTS gene.

The syndrome, which causes an electrical disturbance in the heart, can result in sudden and unexplained death in otherwise fit and healthy youngsters.

LQTS can be treated if diagnosed.

The research is being headed by Auckland cardiologist Jon Skinner, who works with families affected by LQTS, and child health expert Ed Mitchell, an international authority on Sids.

Dr Skinner said that if a link was proven then families of Sids victims could be tested for the condition and treated, hopefully saving other family members' lives.

The Cot Death Association is funding the study, which is expected to be completed by August.

It follows on from two international studies that have indicated a link between Sids and the heart disease.

Italian researchers monitored the hearts of 34,000 newborns between 1976 and 1994 looking for LQTS. A year later, 24 had died of Sids, 12 of whom appeared to have LQTS.

The researchers concluded the heart disease was more strongly associated with Sids than the traditional risk factors such as maternal smoking, bed sharing and sleeping face-down.

United States researchers tested tissue from 93 infants who had died of Sids or undetermined causes between 1997 and 1999. In two cases, they found an LQTS gene and concluded 2 per cent of cot deaths could be caused by the heart disease.

Association chairman and Auckland University child health research professor Ed Mitchell said the results of the studies could not be ignored.

But he doubted that LQTS would account for more than 25 per cent of cot deaths.

- NZPA

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