Blood Biomarkers Linked to SIDS Risk
UVA researchers identified blood biomarkers linked to SIDS, offering potential for future risk assessments.
Complete the form below to unlock access to ALL audio articles.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), the leading cause of infant mortality between one month and one year of age, has long remained an enigma. A team at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine has made a significant step toward understanding its underlying biology by identifying blood-based biomarkers associated with the condition.
These findings may help pave the way for diagnostic tests that identify infants at greater risk of SIDS, although further research is required before such tools can be developed.
Want more breaking news?
Subscribe to Technology Networks’ daily newsletter, delivering breaking science news straight to your inbox every day.
Subscribe for FREEInvestigating SIDS through metabolomics
The study used “metabolomics,” a technique that examines metabolites – substances produced by cellular processes – to investigate complex diseases. Researchers analyzed 828 metabolites in blood serum samples from 300 infants who were part of the Chicago Infant Mortality Study and the NIH NeuroBioBank.
“Our study is the largest study to date that has attempted to detect how these small molecules in the blood may serve as biomarkers for SIDS.”
Dr. Keith L. Keene.
Metabolites
Metabolites are small molecules produced during cellular processes. They include sugars, amino acids, and lipids, playing roles in energy production, cell signaling, and waste removal.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
SIDS is the unexplained death of an otherwise healthy infant under one year old, typically during sleep. It is a leading cause of infant mortality worldwide.
Key metabolic processes related to nerve cell communication, stress response and hormone regulation were examined, as these are thought to influence SIDS risk. After adjusting for variables such as age, sex, race and ethnicity, 35 metabolites were found to be significant predictors of SIDS.
Key biomarkers identified
Two noteworthy metabolites were highlighted in the study. The first, ornithine, plays a critical role in ammonia removal through urine. Disruptions in this pathway may contribute to SIDS risk, as previously suggested by research.
The second, a lipid metabolite important for brain and lung health, is also associated with fetal heart defect risk during early pregnancy. Researchers observed differences in sphingomyelins, a class of lipids critical for neural and respiratory development.
“Differences in these fats may disrupt these critical processes, placing some infants at risk for SIDS.”
Dr. Chad Aldridge.
Implications for future research
The researchers stress that while these findings are promising, they are not yet ready for clinical application. Further studies are needed to confirm whether these metabolites actively contribute to SIDS or are merely associated with it.
“The results of this study are very exciting – we are getting closer to explaining the pathways leading to a SIDS death. Our hope is that this research lays the groundwork to help identify – through simple blood tests – infants who are at higher risk for SIDS and to save these precious lives.”
Dr. Fern R. Hauck.
The research provides a foundation for understanding the biological pathways underlying SIDS and opens the door to potential diagnostic advancements that could save lives.
Reference: Aldridge CM, Keene KL, Normeshie CA, Mychaleckyj JC, Hauck FR. Metabolomic profiles of infants classified as sudden infant death syndrome: a case-control analysis. eBioMedicine. 2025;111:105484. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105484
This article has been republished from the following materials. Note: material may have been edited for length and content. For further information, please contact the cited source. Our press release publishing policy can be accessed here.
This content includes text that has been generated with the assistance of AI. Technology Networks' AI policy can be found here.
