[Do bacteriologic-chemical drinking water studies of households with suspected SIDS have significance?]

In 30 households with SIDS the drinking-water was studied microbiologically and chemically regarding its bacteriological contents, also it was checked for Pb and Cu. Three test solutions of 45 bacteriologically researched samples revealed significant data. One sample showed 2400 cfu "colony forming unit" which is more than double the number of germs permissable in an drinking-water container according to the standards of drinking-water (TrinkwV) 1(3). Also Ps. aeruginosa were found. A further sample contained 3300 cfu Coliforme (E. cloace in 100 ml). The lower quality of a further samples with 2.6 x 10(6) cfu could be retrospectively explained by works done by the Berlin City Works (Berliner Wasserwerke). Enteric bacteria could not be revealed. The remaining 42 samples were within the criteria Section 1 [(1), (2), (3)] of the drinking-water standard. Samples which fulfilled the norms of Section 1 (3) TrinkwV for reserve containers with up to 1000 cfu can be explained by the known fact that water in pipes (containers) can easily be contaminated from outside, for instance through germs like Pseudomonades. In none of the samples a connection between water quality and bacteriological post-mortem findings could be found. In two groups concerning the research for heavy metal the amount of Pb did not surpass the limit of drinking-water standards. In several cases the amount of Cu surpassed that of Pb. Bacteriological-chemical water research in households with suspicion of SIDS are only useful if anamnestical, clinical and autoptic data can be brought into a close temporary and spatial order and if the findings can be controlled through repeated research.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)