Harvard University researchers say the brains of infants who die from sudden infant death syndrome may produce low levels of a vital chemical called serotonin.
The chemical conveys messages between cells and is essential in regulating breathing, heart rate and sleep, the researchers said in a statement.
Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is defined as death of an infant before his or her first birthday that cannot be explained after a complete autopsy, homicide investigation or a review of the medical history of the baby and his family.
The National Center for Health Statistics says SIDS is the third-leading cause of infant deaths, responsible for more than 2,000 deaths in 2006.
The researchers say the low levels of serotonin may inhibit a baby's ability to deal with breathing challenges like low oxygen levels or high carbon dioxide levels. Carbon dioxide may accumulate when babies rebreath air while sleeping face down.
Doctors recommend placing babies on their backs for sleeping.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and it appears in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
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