Can SIDS be inherited?
At this time there is not direct link to SIDS and genetic predisposition. Metabolic disorders, which can be inherited, have at times been mistaken for SIDS. One such disorder, medium chain acylCoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCAD), prevents the infant from properly processing fatty acids. A build up of these acid metabolites could eventually lead to a rapid and fatal disruption in breathing and heart functioning. If there is a family history of this disorder or childhood death of unknown cause (especially more than one case within a family), genetic screening of parents by a blood test can determine if they are carriers of this disorder. If one or both parents are found to be a carrier, the baby can be tested soon after birth at little cost. This is another reason why the autopsy is so important. Tests can be done on the tissues of an infant to identify known metabolic disorders. Other research studies into possible genetic links to SIDS are ongoing. Back to top I have heard that the sid
