SIDS enigma - insights from autopsy infection-pathology diagnoses, epidemiology, vaccine risks, and the importance of breastfeeding

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of infant mortality. Its cause has eluded medical science. Epidemiology shows many hallmarks of SIDS resemble infectious disease. Pathology shows consistent findings; immunology shows involvement of inflammatory pathways. Despite this, most mainstream researchers have ignored these fundamental findings. Much reliance is placed upon the “Triple Risk Hypothesis” for which a vulnerable infant, critical development period and exogenous stressor combine in lethally. Stressors include prone sleeping, smoke exposure, and overheating. Many others form the picture; these are generally ignored. Infectious processes may trigger lethal immunopathological processes. Immunization mimics infection; logically this could act similarly. We use Covid-19 vaccine and its adverse effects on elderly co-morbid patients to illustrate. Mucosal immunity in childhood immunization and breastfeeding is highlighted. We use published infant immunization data on infant mortality data which indicates a putative causal correlation between the number of vaccine doses and incidence of infant mortality including SIDS. Numerous neuroactive cytokines produced in infection (and immunization) could play a role in some cases of SIDS or childhood development. The review has obvious implications that are likely to arouse reactions in followers of current paradigms. However, data strongly supports the recognition of correctly directed immunization encompassing mucosal immunity.