Glucose link in cot death study

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A link between cot death and low blood glucose levels has been found by researchers.

A team led by Dundee University discovered what they believe could be a key piece in the puzzle of sudden infant death syndrome.

They identified defects in glucose production which make infants more prone to risk factors linked to cot death.

The researchers stressed the findings did not explain cot death.

The defects were found particularly in premature and small babies.

Low birth-weight babies are particularly vulnerable to low blood glucose levels and sudden death in infancy.

It has previously been shown that some infants who died unexpectedly had defects in liver glucose production, which could lead to low blood glucose at times of stress or reduced milk intake.

Figuring out why some babies and not others are more susceptible to sudden infant death syndrome is like putting together a massive jigsaw Professors Ann BurchellDundee University

The researchers found that in some babies key liver genes making and transporting glucose around the body were not "switched on" soon enough after birth.

The Scottish Cot Death Trust-funded study was led by Professors Ann Burchell and Robert Hume, together with colleagues from Edinburgh University and Glasgow's Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

"This part of our work has concentrated on a system called hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase, which we all have," said Professor Hume.

"Unfortunately in some babies this system does not work correctly in that it doesn't start working soon enough after they are born.

"This delay causes low blood glucose levels in the baby and places the child at risk."

The researchers stressed the findings did not explain cot death and that many other genetic faults and environmental factors could be linked to the syndrome.

Prof Burchell said: "Figuring out why some babies and not others are more susceptible to sudden infant death syndrome or other serious illnesses is like putting together a massive jigsaw.

"What we have found is one piece of that puzzle, which we hope will lead us to discovering larger pieces."