SIDS Complexity

A couple months ago, the news was flooded by reports that researchers had found the "thing that causes SIDS." And the world rejoiced, because now there would be no more babies dying.

Right?

Not exactly.

They found that the Sids babies had lower levels of an enzyme called Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), which plays a major role in the brain’s arousal pathway. This could indicate an arousal deficit, which reduces an infant’s ability to wake or respond to the external environment, such as overheating or a blanket over the face. This could cause vulnerability to Sids, the scientists said. (taken from @guardian )

But the problem is that like with all new research, we don't know how to apply that to a real life scenario. The reason for this is two-fold: BChE is only one of the potential causes of SIDS. And the discovery of this enzyme doesn't lead doctors to have any actionable plans for these babies...yet.

So as Judith from @aslongasimlivingpodcast explained, the SIDS community wants people to know how nuanced and complex this news is.

And unfortunately, the news is also very bittersweet for these parents because it won't bring their babies back.

Just like any new information that hits the airwaves, please be cautious when talking about it with people who are struggling. It may not be the miracle cure it claims to be, and your comments might cause more harm than good.