Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy A New Hypothesis of Cause

Abstract

Blood and urine studies were performed on 30 consecutive infants who came to autopsy in 1963 after sudden unexpected death. In every case, a constellation of anatomic alterations was found which is identical with that seen in experimentally induced anaphylaxis in animals. Urine analyses revealed intense proteinuria at the time of death and the presence of an abnormal urinary compound termed a "nephrosis peptide." These authors hypothesize a physio logic defect leading to the absorption of undigested protein. This study suggests that this protein, being antigenic, is re sponsible for a lethal anaphylactic reac tion, thereby explaining the sudden death of some infants.