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Laryngeal morphology in sudden unexpected death in infants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

D. F. N. Harrison*
Affiliation:
(London)
*
Prof Sir Donald Harrison, 6 Fisher's Farm, Horley, Surrey.

Abstract

One hundred and four larynges removed from infants registered as dying fromSudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and 20 control larynges from infants of matching ages, were examined histologically. Excessive amounts of subglottic submucosal glandular tissue had reduced the available airway by more than half in 35 per cent of the SIDS larynges within the age group two to four months. In 30 per cent of this group the airway reduction was more than 60 per cent. It is suggested that hyperplasia of subglottic mucous glands is one cause of fatal hypoxia in sudden unexpected infant death.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1991

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