Hemoglobin F in sudden infant death syndrome: A San Diego SIDS/SUDC Research Project report

Whether levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF), a possible marker of antecedent hypoxemia, are increased in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared to controls is unresolved. Our aims are to: (1) Compare percent fetal hemoglobin (%HbF) levels in SIDS and control cases, and (2) compare our findings with those reported in previous studies. Using Triton-acid-urea gel electrophoresis and quantitative densitometry, %HbF was determined in whole blood specimens obtained at autopsy from SIDS and control cases accessioned into the San Diego SIDS/SUDC Research Project database. The SIDS and control cases were not different with respect to mean age, gender, gestational age, method of delivery, birth weight, or mean autopsy interval; %HbF levels in SIDS and control cases were not significantly different. Given that our results were obtained using optimal methods in well-defined SIDS and control cases, we concur with others that %HbF is not elevated in SIDS.