Respiratory viruses and cot death. Issue 6129 (1st July 1978)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, D J; Gardner, P S; McQuillin, J; Stanton, A N; Downham, M A
• Is Part Of: BMJ. Volume 2:Issue 6129(1978)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 1978-07-01
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/bmj.2.6129.12
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1447

Abstract

Abstract : Respiratory viruses and histological appearances of the lung were studied prospectively in an unselected series of 104 children who died between 1 week and 2 years of age. Thirty-one of the cases were cot deaths. Seven of these showed evidence of active virus infection in the lower respiratory tract. Similar evidence was found in two children who died from known causes and did not have a severe respiratory illness terminally. Although in some cases of cot death respiratory viruses may be responsible for a severe and rapidly overwhelming illness, the present results are compatible with an alternative hypothesis-namely, that minor respiratory illness may trigger sudden apnoea.