SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, is when an infant, under the age of 1, suddenly dies with an unknown cause of death. Researchers at Harvard analyzed tissue samples of infants who died from SIDS and a small group who died from other causes. They found 26% less serotonin than in a normal infant in the brain stem of the infants who died from SIDS. The Harvard researchers also found that the infants who died from SIDS had lower levels of an enzyme involved in synthesizing serotonin. According to Dr. Hannah C. Kinney at Harvard, SIDS is a disease process that can be studied with scientific process, creating a great headway for preventing SIDS. Harvard researchers also hope that this study will lead to the development of screening tests to identify at-risk infants. However, Kinney also says that the discovery does not mean that infants should not be put to sleep on their backs.


From: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/09/health/research/09risk.html?ref=research
"Risks: Study Looks at Serotonin and SIDS Death"

Sarah Biemer
VTPP 435-502