Gastroesophageal reflux disease and sudden infant death: mechanisms behind an under-recognized association.
We present 4 cases of sudden infant death in which we believe that gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) was a contributory, if not a causative, factor. Two of our patients had documented GOR reflux disease during life, and all 4 cases showed histologic evidence of GOR. No other cause of death was identified in any of the patients. Gastroesophageal reflux can cause sudden death in a vulnerable infant during a critical period of development through failure of "autoresuscitation" mechanisms.
Al-Adnani
Mudher
M
Department of Histopathology, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TH, United Kingdom. mudher.al-adnani@sch.nhs.uk
Cohen
Marta C
MC
Scheimberg
Irene
I
D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology