Infant hearing linked to cot death

31 July 2007

A standard newborn hearing test may be the key to predicting sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

New research reveals all babies in a study group who died of SIDS had the same results on a standard hearing test administered right after birth. The babies who died of SIDS all scored lower on the right inner ear test than babies who did not have SIDS.

The study's lead researcher Daniel Rubens MD, of Seattle Children's Hospital, reports the findings might have something to do with vestibular hair cells found in the inner ear. These cells are responsible for alerting the brain about carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

Dr Rubens was quoted saying, "For the first time, it's now possible that with a simple, standard hearing test babies could be identified at risk for SIDS, allowing preventative measures to be implemented in advance of a tragic event."

SIDS has been a medical mystery for decades, and it is the largest cause of death in young infants. It affects one in 1,000 newborns worldwide. SIDS most commonly affects babies two to four months old, and is more prevalent in boys than girls.

Source: Medical Breakthroughs
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