Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
05:31

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Sudden infant death syndrome: a search for allergen hypersensitivity

L L Hagan1, D W Goetz, C H Revercomb

  • 1Allergy-Immunology Department, Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, Texas, USA.

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology
|April 9, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Anaphylaxis is unlikely to be a common cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This study found no significant difference in allergic markers between SIDS cases and controls, suggesting other factors are at play.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pathology
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Forensic Medicine

Background:

  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) lacks clear pathological indicators for its cause.
  • Previous research on anaphylaxis as a cause of SIDS is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of anaphylaxis markers in infants who died of SIDS.
  • To compare allergic responses in SIDS cases versus age-matched controls.

Main Methods:

  • Forensic blood samples from 51 SIDS cases and 13 controls were analyzed.
  • Tests included total IgE, specific IgE (RAST) for common allergens, and serum tryptase levels.

Main Results:

  • Total IgE, serum tryptase levels, and the frequency of positive RAST tests were similar between SIDS cases and controls.
  • No statistically significant differences were found in specific IgE responses to any tested allergen.

Conclusions:

  • While some SIDS cases showed elevated allergic markers, these were not more frequent than in controls.
  • Anaphylaxis is likely an uncommon cause of SIDS.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)07:10

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)

Published on: April 21, 2019

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber08:47

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Allergic Reactions02:06

Allergic Reactions

Overview
Hypersensitivities01:30

Hypersensitivities

Hypersensitivity, also known as a hypersensitivity reaction or allergic reaction, is a condition where the body's immune system reacts abnormally to a foreign substance. Such substances, that cause hypersensitivity are referred to as an allergen, could be something typically harmless to most people, like pollen or certain foods.
Types of Hypersensitivities
Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types: Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, and Type 4. Each type has a distinct mechanism...
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions01:30

Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions

Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...
Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis01:30

Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...