Phrenic nerves and diaphragms in sudden infant death syndrome

Forensic Science International : Synergy
J WeisH Althoff

Abstract

Disturbances of the respiratory system may be an important factor in the cascade of events leading to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Even though the diaphragm is the major respiratory muscle in infants, little is known about alterations of this muscle and of the phrenic nerve in SIDS. In the present study, diaphragms and phrenic nerves of 24 SIDS infants and seven controls were analyzed. Morphometric analysis revealed only slightly larger cross sectional areas of phrenic nerve axons but no increase in myelin sheath thickness in SIDS cases. However, in one SIDS case, myelinated nerve fibre density was severely reduced. Using electron microscopy, several nerve fibres of SIDS infants showed focal accumulations of neurofilaments. Muscle fibre diameters in SIDS diaphragms were significantly larger compared to controls (P < 0.0001). However, in almost all SIDS and control cases, axons and myelin sheaths were artificially swollen, and acute segmental muscle fibre ruptures and contracture bands were found. These prominent nonspecific ultrastructural alterations should advise caution in the interpretation of morphometric data. Thus, in some cases exemplified by one case of the present series, decreased density of phrenic nerve mye...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1992·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·H C KinneyR M Harper
Feb 28, 1992·Tidsskrift for den Norske lægeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny række·G Halvorsen
Jul 1, 1992·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·J J Filiano, H C Kinney
Jan 1, 1991·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·H C KinneyF H Gilles
Dec 1, 1989·Forensic Science International : Synergy·J Kariks
Jan 1, 1989·Journal of Child Neurology·C M ShawE C Alvord
Sep 1, 1983·Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry·M TsujihataT Matsuo
Feb 1, 1981·The Journal of Pediatrics·P N SachisA C Bryan
Sep 1, 1995·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·J R O'Kusky, M G Norman
Jan 1, 1995·Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology·P LamontR Pamphlett
Jan 1, 1994·International Journal of Legal Medicine·S D Ferrara, A Francesco
Aug 1, 1994·Current Opinion in Pediatrics·C A Stanley, D E Hale
Apr 30, 1994·Early Human Development·S A TennysonL E Becker
Apr 15, 1994·American Journal of Medical Genetics·G M PastoresJ P Willner
Jan 1, 1994·Medical and Pediatric Oncology·H MatsuuraK Morooka
Jan 1, 1993·Acta Neuropathologica·L E BeckerP M Pereyra
Jan 1, 1995·Acta Neuropathologica·H FuruokaT Matsui
Apr 1, 1996·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·R Pamphlett, L Treloar
Jan 1, 1996·Acta Neuropathologica·R PamphlettC Louda
Mar 1, 1997·Neuromuscular Disorders : NMD·M el-SchahawiS DiMauro
Feb 10, 2006·Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association·M Jane Heinig, Jennifer Bañuelos

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 1, 1988·Biulleten' eksperimental'noĭ biologii i meditsiny·R A Serov, N N Sokolova
Oct 18, 2013·Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology·Simon M L PaineNeil J Sebire

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.