A genetic polymorphism unique to East Asians, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 rs671, could explain the low incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Asian babies

• The high prevalence of the Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 rs671 polymorphism is unique to East Asians and could explain the low incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Asian babies. • The high prevalence of the single-nucleotide polymorphism of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene, rs671 in East Asian populations is associated with a protection against infection. • The link between infection and SIDS is strongly supported by epidemiological, clinical and pathological evidence. • The polymorphism is unique to East Asians, and could explain the low incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Asian babies. The single-nucleotide polymorphism of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene, rs671 has a very high prevalence in East Asian populations. Previous studies have demonstrated an association of the polymorphism with protection against infection. Given that infection has very strong epidemiological, pathological and clinical associations with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the preventative effect of the polymorphism against infection provides a plausible explanation for the lower incidence of SIDS in East Asian infants and is the basis of the hypothesis, the evolution of which is explained in detail.