Photo: Yan Krukov

When a child dies suddenly?

When it happens in children under 1 year of age, it's called sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In children 1 year of age or older, it's called sudden unexplained death in children (SUDC). While SIDS cases outnumber SUDC cases by four to one, research funding and published studies for SIDS have dwarfed that for SUDC.

nih.gov - Genetics of sudden unexplained death in children - NIH

Are soulmates made for each other?

Though there are some shared characteristics between these relationships, soulmates cannot be twin flames. Soulmates are two souls that are...

Last updated Jun 2, 2021

What to do during French kissing?

After kissing them softly on the mouth, slowly stick your tongue out until it meets their lips—it can be the top lip, bottom lip, or both. If you...

Last updated Jan 26, 2019

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

Genetics of sudden unexplained death in children

At a Glance Researchers identified genetic mutations associated with sudden unexplained death in children, or SUDC. The results could lead to a better understanding of the causes of these deaths and suggest new approaches to prevent them. Approximately 1,800 children in the United States die from sudden, unexplained causes each year, most while asleep. When it happens in children under 1 year of age, it's called sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). In children 1 year of age or older, it’s called sudden unexplained death in children (SUDC). While SIDS cases outnumber SUDC cases by four to one, research funding and published studies for SIDS have dwarfed that for SUDC. A research team led by Drs. Richard Tsien and Orrin Devinsky at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine sought to identify genetic mutations that might contribute to SUDC. To do so, they sequenced DNA from 124 SUDC cases and their parents. DNA was extracted from samples collected through the SUDC Registry and Research Collaborative. NIH’s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) supported the work. Results appeared in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on December 28, 2021. The team first sequenced whole exomes, the 1% of the human genome that codes for proteins. There weren’t enough subjects to uncover genetic associations in a broad, initial analysis. The researchers then focused on 137 genes associated with heart or seizure disorders, both of which can trigger sudden death. They found that in SUDC cases, these genes contained significantly more mutations than would be expected by chance. Most were “de novo” mutations, meaning that while they were found in the child, they weren’t found in either parent. A handful of potentially harmful mutations in these genes occurred in parents. In such cases, the mutation also showed up in the offspring 80% of the time—again, more often than would be expected by chance. The researchers identified 11 particular mutations that were likely to cause health problems. These mutations were estimated to contributed to death in 9% of cases. Many of the mutations occurred in a cluster of genes that regulate calcium in neurons and heart muscle cells. Calcium changes in these cells control nerve signal transmission and muscle contraction. Mutations in one of the genes, RYR2, have been linked to heart problems. Mutations in another, CACNA1C, have been linked to a rare disorder, called Timothy syndrome, that can affect the heart, limbs, muscle, and brain. The results suggest that altered calcium signaling may play a significant role in SUDC. They also highlight the importance of de novo mutations for SUDC risk. Studies in larger samples might reveal additional genetic risk factors. Identifying these risk factors is the first step towards developing life-saving medical interventions. “Our study is the largest of its kind to date, the first to prove that there are definite genetic causes of SUDC, and the first to fill in any portion of the risk picture,” Tsien says. “Along with providing comfort to parents, new findings about genetic changes involved will accumulate with time, reveal the mechanisms responsible, and serve as the basis for new treatment approaches.”

—by Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.

What happens spiritually when you meet your twin flame?

Savvas notes, “The purpose of discovering your twin flame is to speed up your growth, to release wounds, remove blockages, and lead you to true...

Last updated Nov 30, 2021

Why do couples stop making love?

Couples may stop having sex due to a lack of trust after an affair, exhaustion, boredom, and conflicting parenting styles, among other reasons....

Last updated Jul 18, 2019

Promotion

Is it necessary to bleed on first night?

nhs.uk - Does a woman always bleed when she has sex for the first time? - NHS

No, not always. Some women will bleed after having sex for the first time, while others will not. Both are perfectly normal. A woman may bleed when she has penetrative sex for the first time because of her hymen stretching or tearing. The hymen is a thin piece of skin that partially covers the entrance to the vagina. For some women, it may stretch or tear when they start having sex. Having a stretched or torn hymen does not necessarily mean a woman has lost her virginity. The hymen can also stretch or tear quite easily before a woman has sex for the first time, through:

activities such as horse riding and other sports

using tampons

masturbation

A woman may not know her hymen has stretched or torn, because it does not always cause pain or noticeable bleeding. If you're concerned about bleeding after sex, get advice from a GP or your nearest sexual health clinic.

Find a sexual health clinic

What makes a simple girl attractive?

“Men like girls with no drama because they're easier to deal with.” “Easy-going, down to earth, but not bland.” “The simple girl is someone who's...

Last updated Feb 18, 2021

Can fathers produce milk?

Spontaneous production of milk not associated with childbirth, known as galactorrhea, can occur in human males and females.

Last updated Mar 22, 2022

Promotion

What are the patterns of a narcissist?

Typically, narcissists follow a pattern of three stages in romantic relationships; love bombing, devaluation, and discarding. May 26, 2022

Last updated Oct 14, 2019

Promotion

What is the youngest smoking age?

This legislation (known as “Tobacco 21” or “T21”) became effective immediately, and it is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco...

Last updated Jun 24, 2019