Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-mlc7c Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T06:58:18.806Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Laryngeal morphology in sudden unexpected death in infants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. F. N. Harrison*
Affiliation:
(London)
*
Prof Sir Donald Harrison, 6 Fisher's Farm, Horley, Surrey.

Abstract

One hundred and four larynges removed from infants registered as dying fromSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and 20 control larynges from infants of matching ages, were examined histologically. Excessive amounts of subglottic submucosal glandular tissue had reduced the available airway by more than half in 35 per cent of the SIDS larynges within the age group two to four months. In 30 per cent of this group the airway reduction was more than 60 per cent. It is suggested that hyperplasia of subglottic mucous glands is one cause of fatal hypoxia in sudden unexpected infant death.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bain, W. M., Harrington, J. W., Thomas, J. W. (1983) Head and neck manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux. Laryngoscope,93: 175179.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Balarajan, R., Raleigh, V. S., Botting, B. (1989) Sudden infant death syndrome and postneonatal mortality in immigrants in England and Wales. British MedicalJournal, 298: 716719.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Davies, P. A. (1988) Sudden infant death syndrome. Respiratory disease in practice, December issue: 612.Google Scholar
Derkay, S., Grundfast, K. M. (1990) Airway compromise from nasal obstruction in neonates and infants. International Journal of PediatricOtorhinolaryngology, 19: 241249.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Emery, J. (1989) Is sudden infant death syndrome a diagnosis? British Medical Journal, 299: 1240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Fink, R., Beckworth, J. (1980) Laryngeal mucous gland excess in victims of sudden infant death. American Journal of Diseases of Childhood, 134: 144146.Google ScholarPubMed
Fleming, J., Gilbert, R., Hall, E. (1990) Interactionbetween bedding and sleeping position in the sudden infant death syndrome: a population based case-control study. British Medical Journal, 301: 8598.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gregson, R. (1989) All night–every night. British Medical Journal, 299: 10491050.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harrison, D. F. N. (1986) Victor Negus–57 years on. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 95: 561566.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jonge, G. A., Engleberts, A. C., Koomen-Liefting, A. J. M. (1989) Cot death and the prone sleeping position in the Netherlands. British Medical Journal, 298: 722.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, P. (1985) Prolonged expiratory apnoea implications for the control of breathing. The Lancet, ii: 877879.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Milner, D., Ruggins, N. (1989) Sudden infant death syndrome. British Medical Journal, 298: 689690.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pracy, R. (1984) The functional anatomy of the immature mamma-lian larynx. MPhil University of London.Google Scholar
Sasaki, C. T. (1979) Development of laryngeal function: etiologic significance in the sudden infant death syndrome. Laryngoscope, 89:119.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Southall, P. (1985) Prolonged expiratory apnoeas: a disorder resulting in episodes of severe arterial hypoxia in infants and young children. The Lancet, ii: 571577.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stafford, N. D., Davies, S. J. (1988) Epithelial distribution in the human fetal larynx. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 97: 302307.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stanton, A. N., Downham, M., Oakley, J. R. (1978) Terminal symptoms in children dying suddenly and unexpectantly at home. British Medical Journal, 2: 12491251.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Watkins, J. (1989) Can general practitioners prevent sudden death syndrome? British Medical Journal, 298: 13331334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar