SIDS pathogenesis: pathological findings indicate infection and inflammatory responses are involved

This article explores the pathological evidence that supports the hypothesis that infection and inflammation are underlying mechanisms in SIDS. It reviews the pathological findings in relation to the risk factors reported for SIDS and compares these findings with other hypotheses suggested as causes of these unexplained deaths in infants. The roles of environmental factors and bacterial products such as soluble curlin detectable in SIDS sera in triggering cytokine cascades and aberrant inflammatory responses resulting in a toxic shock-like event are also explored. Areas for future research are outlined.