I found the following  in a patent for  infant formula (patent # 5,686,491)
and was wondering whether this belief that 3% of SIDS is caused by metabolic
disorders is still considered true.  Does anyone have information on the
following deficiencies in relationship to breastfeeding:  MCAD, LCAD, SCAD
and MADD?

"SIDS also called Cot or Crib Death is generally conceived as due to an
anatomical functional immaturity of the neural networks that control vital
functions such as heart rate and respiratory patterns. It is estimated that
3% of SIDS are due to metabolic disorders. Evidence is accumulating to
indicate that abrupt increases in free fatty acids of one sort or another is
the major factor that causes unexpected disruption of the control of vital
function. The concept of metabolic SIDS began in the mid-1980s with the
recognition of the association between SIDS and an inherited defect of one of
the 10 or so sequential enzymes of fatty acid oxidation system. Infants with
nonspecific failure to thrive are often determined to have low plasma
carnitine levels."

Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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