Abstract
Beta-endorphin may induce respiratory depression and bradycardia. Elevated hypoxanthine (HX) level in corpus vitreum humor (CVH) indicates hypoxia before death. We measured beta-endorphin immunoreactivity (BEI) in CSF and HX in CVH in SIDS victims (n=27) and in control infants (n=12). In a pilot study we measured BEI in CSF in piglets where the larynx reflex was induced by ammonium gas (n=4). BEI in CSF was also measured after brain hypoxia in piglets (n=6).
The BEI levels in CSF divided the SIDS victims into two subpopulations: one half with undetectable level <4.3 fmol/ml CSF, and the other half with high level 247 fmol/ml CSF (range 160-400). All the SIDS victims had elevated levels of HX in CVH 209 mikromol/l (range 53-419) compared with the controls that died a sudden death (accidental, cardial or strangled), which had 54 mikromol/l (range 0-188). In the subpopulation of SIDS victims with elevated BEI in CSF, we found a positive correlation between BEI in CSF and Hx levels in CVH r=0.92 (p<0.001). In the control infants no correlation between BSI in CSF and HX in CVH was found. In piglets where the larynx reflex was excited, we found increased levels of BEI in CSF which correlated with the duration of the apneas r=0.84 (p=0.16). In the control piglets undetectable levels of BEI in CSF was found.
Conclusion: In SIDS victims with elevated levels of BEI in CSF, the BEI correlated with HX in CVH. The larynx reflex induced apneas, induced BEI increase in CSF in piglets.
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Storm, H., Stoltenberg, L., Sundar, T. et al. MAY APNEA REFLEX INDUCE SUDDEN INFANT DEATH?. Pediatr Res 35, 268 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00081
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199402000-00081
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