Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/75324
Citations
Scopus Web of Science® Altmetric
?
?
Type: Journal article
Title: Brain weight-body weight ratio in sudden infant death syndrome revisited
Author: Elliott, J.
Vink, R.
Jensen, L.
Byard, R.
Citation: Medicine Science and the Law, 2012; 52(4):207-209
Publisher: Chiltern Publishing
Issue Date: 2012
ISSN: 0025-8024
2042-1818
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Jane A Elliott, Robert Vink, Lisbeth Jensen and Roger W Byard
Abstract: <h4>Aims</h4>To determine whether the brain-body weight ratio is increased in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).<h4>Methods</h4>Review of autopsy files from Forensic Science SA, South Australia was undertaken over an eight-year period from 1999 to 2006, with classification of cases according to the San Diego definition. Sudden and/or unexpected deaths in previously healthy infants due to asphyxia or infection were selected as controls.<h4>Results</h4>There were 42 SIDS cases and 25 controls. The SIDS cases were aged from 1 to 42 weeks (mean: 16.26 ± 1.5 weeks) with a male to female ratio of 26:16. The control infants were aged from 3 to 48 weeks (mean: 19.24 ± 2.9 weeks) (P > 0.05) (M:F = 16:9) and included 13 cases of asphyxia and 12 cases of sepsis. Comparison of the brain-body weight ratios failed to demonstrate a significant difference: SIDS mean = 0.121 ± 0.003; control mean = 0.115 ± 0.003 (P > 0.05).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Although, there was a trend towards higher brain-body weight ratios in SIDS infants, this did not reach significance. The role of brain weight in the aetiology of SIDS remains controversial.
Keywords: Brain
Humans
Sudden Infant Death
Body Weight
Organ Size
Case-Control Studies
Forensic Pathology
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Female
Male
Rights: © British Academy of Forensic Sciences
DOI: 10.1258/msl.2012.011136
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1258/msl.2012.011136
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest
Pathology publications

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.