Growth protein and SIDS 

8 June 2006

Scientists at the University of Manchester, led by Dr David Drucker, have provided further evidence in support of a role for genetic factors in at least some cases of SIDS.

They found that a particular genetic variation in the structure of a protein called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is found in a higher proportion of infants who died of SIDS compared with non-SIDS babies.

VEGF is very important in the growth and development of many organs, including the lungs, and it may be that subtle abnormalities in this process may predispose certain infants to abnormal responses to low oxygen concentrations or high carbon dioxide levels leading to a failure to breathe.

This research is published in: Dashash M, Pravica V, Hutchinson IV, Barson AJ, Drucker DB. Association of sudden infant death syndrome with VEGF and IL-6 gene polymorphisms. Hum Immunol 2006; 67(8):627-33