Hypoplasia and neuronal immaturity of the hypoglossal nucleus in sudden infant death
- Institute of Pathology, “Lino Rossi” Research Centre for the study and prevention of unexpected perinatal death and SIDS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Correspondence to: Dr Giulia Ottaviani Institute of Pathology, University of Milan, Via della Commenda 19, 20122 Milan, Italy; giulia.ottaviani{at}unimi.it
- Accepted 12 September 2005
- Published Online First 17 February 2006
Abstract
Objective: To report the case of five month old female baby with a history of episodes of gastro-oesophageal reflux and pneumonia. Her sudden death offered a unique insight into the possible role of delayed neuronal maturation and hypoplasia of the hypoglossal nucleus in representing a likely morphological substrate of sudden death.
Methods: Morphometric analysis was carried out with an Image-Pro Plus Image analyser (Media Cybernetics) on both sides of the brain stem.
Results: Hypoplasia and neuronal immaturity of the hypoglossal nucleus were demonstrated, accompanied by hypoplasia of the arcuate nucleus.
Conclusions: Much attention should be paid to the possible role of the hypoglossal nucleus in determining a lethal outcome in infancy through impairment of deglutition and subsequent recurrent episodes of pneumonia, and as a necropsy finding.
- hypoglossal nucleus hypoplasia
- hypoglossal nucleus neuronal immaturity
- aspiration pneumonia
- passive smoking
- borderline SIDS
