Video clips and sound files (MP3) of Mayo Clinic's Dr. Michael J. Ackerman discussing new SIDS study.

Tuesday, November 13, 2001

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To listen to the MP3 audio files, you must have RealPlayer. To download, go to www.real.com.

Video clip # 1: Topic: First step in cardiac-related SIDS research

Video clip # 2: Topic: Research paves way for possible future screening

Sound file # 2: Topic: Research paves way for possible future screening

Video clip # 3: Topic: Measures to prevent SIDS

Sound file # 3: Topic: Measures to prevent SIDS

Video clip # 4: Topic: Study proves SIDS may be linked to defects in the heart

Sound file # 4: Topic: Study proves SIDS may be linked to defects in the heart

Video clip # 5: Topic: Decrease in SIDS incidence due to preventive measures

Sound file # 5: Topic: Decrease in SIDS incidence due to preventive measures

SIDS animation: There is no audio with this animation.

The following is set-up text for the animation.
What causes SIDS? For the most part, we don't know. There are many theories, including a 25-year old theory shown here. Perhaps some cases of SIDS occur in babies who have an intrinsic electrical disturbance in the heart, a so-called "Long QT Syndrome." This electrical glitch provides the base whereby a particular trigger (maybe prone sleep position, apnea, or reflux) could catch the infant's heart off guard and cause the long QT heart to spin electrically out of control into ventricular fibrillation. If normal rhythm fails to return, then the baby would die, there would be no clues left at autopsy, and no explanation for the baby's death available for the parents.

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