STUDIES OF THE SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME IN KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON: IV. IMMUNOLOGIC STUDIES

Abstract

Prospective and retrospective studies of immunologic responses in the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) revealed the following: The concentrations of IgM in cord or death bloods from patients with SIDS did not differ significantly from values found in cord blood from healthy infants or death blood from infants dying of explained causes. Similarly, IgE in death blood of patients was not elevated as compared to controls nor was the third component of complement depressed. Specific antibody titers in cord or death serum to 14 common viral antigens did not reveal any aberrant characteristics in the SIDS infants. Other immunological parameters investigated included antinuclear factor and antiantibodies, also with negative results, indicating that immunological mechanisms may not be of primary significance in the pathogenesis of SIDS. Although this study represents generally negative findings, it is our hope that it will be a useful guide to other interested workers who are planning projects related to this problem.