ICPA - SIDS Research

Crib Death (SIDS)

Studies have revealed a correlation between spinal abnormalities, including trauma and crib death or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). This may be one piece of a larger puzzle.

Peer Reviewed Journals:

Latent spinal cord and brain stem injury in newborn infants. Towbin, A, Dev Med Child Neurol. 1969 (Feb);11 (1): 54-68

Autopsy of infants who died of SIDS revealed blood in the spinal cord, which the author hypothesized, was due to obstetrical trauma. "Spinal cord and brain stem injuries often occur during the process of birth but frequently escape diagnosis. Respiratory depression in the neonate is a cardinal sign of much injury. In infants, there may be lasting neurological defects reflecting the primary injury." Towbin further states: "mechanical stress imposed by obstetric manipulation-even the application of standard orthodox procedures may prove intolerable to the fetus. Difficult breathing in the newborn is a classic indication of such injury" He goes on to say," Survival of the newborn is governed mainly by the integrity and function of the vital centers in the brain stem. Yet paradoxically, the importance of injury at birth to the brain stem and spinal cord are matters which have generally escaped lasting attention."

Sudden unexpected death in rare cervico-occipital anomalies and inadequate trauma. Gilg T, Eisenmenger W. Z Rechtsmed. 1982;89 (3): 207-214

Two cases of sudden unexpected death due to rare cervico-occipital dysplasia and inadequate trauma are presented, and the problems of examination are shown. At postmortem examination in equivalent cases, precise investigation of anamnesis and trauma as well as removal and maceration of the upper cervical vertebral column is indicated.

Birth injury to the cervical spine and spinal cord. Reid H. Acta Neurochir Suppl (Wien). 1983; 32: 87-90

Mechanical trauma to the cervical spine still occurs at birth. In 2 of 48 perinatal postmortems traumatic damage to the cervical spinal cord was found. Also in this series at least 12% of cases from one hospital showed some degree of trauma to the cervical spine but this was of a lesser degree in individual cases than 20 years ago.

Birth Injury to the Cervical Spine and Spinal Cord. Reid H, Acta Neurochir Suppl (Wien). 1983;32:87-90

Mechanical trauma to the cervical spine still occurs at birth. In 2 of 48 perinatal postmortems traumatic damage to the cervical spinal cord was found. Also in this series at least 12% of cases from one hospital showed some degree of trauma to the cervical spine but this was of a lesser degree in individual cases than 20 years ago.

Significance of birth trauma damage to the vertebral artery in sudden infant death. Saternus KS, Hebold K,
Beitr Gerichtl Med. 1986;44:569-71

Damage to the cervical spine is fairly common in a series of stillbirths and neonatal deaths.

Infantile atlantooccipital instability. The potential danger of extreme extension. Giles FH, Bina M, Sotrel A. Am J Dis Child. 1979 Jan;133(1):30-37

During early infancy, adventitious sliding and slipping movements between the vertebral column and skull are possible in the cadaver. In ten of 17 infants, the posterior arch of the atlas inverted through the foramen magnum during extension of the head on the atlas, resulting in the anatomic potential of bilateral vertebral artery compression. These anatomic conditions may be the basis for a chain of events that contributes to death in some neonates and infants with conventioanl diseases and may be one source of unanticipated death.

Spinal injury related to the syndrome of sudden death ("crib-death") in infants. Towbin A, Am J Clin Pathol. 1968 (Apr);49 (4): 562-567

Additional Articles:

Atlanto-occipital hypermobility in sudden infant death syndrome. Schneier M, Burns R. Released by Association for Research in Chiropractic. April, 1989.

A triple blinded x-ray study. Increased instability of upper cervical spine was found in children who died of crib death.

You may also enjoy Dr. Anrig's article: Head Movement a Possible Cause of SIDS