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Cot death could partly be down to genetic mutation, say researchers

Rare mutation associated with breathing muscles is key to sudden infant death syndrome, says study in Lancet

Scientists have uncovered a new and potentially important genetic mutation implicated in cot deaths, which they say could take research for ways to prevent such tragedies in a new direction.

The rare genetic mutation is associated with the breathing muscles. “Previously the whole focus of trying to understand it was either the heart or the brain cells controlling breathing,” said Professor Michael Hanna of the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at University College London, one of the authors of a new paper in the Lancet medical journal.

The authors think the mutation could leave the children more vulnerable if sleeping in the wrong position

Related: Deaths of two babies a week linked to bed-sharing, UK data shows

Continue reading... March 29, 2018 at 04:00AM

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