A small Polish study published in the April 2011 issue of the journal Neuropeptides suggests a potential link between infant formula and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

SIDS researchers and the Australian SIDS organisation “SIDS and Kids” regard this study, which involved only 17 infants as highly speculative and misleading.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Scientist, Dr Paul Brent, agrees, describing the results as ”highly speculative and inconclusive”.

Parents who are formula feeding their infants should not be concerned about the hypothetical and unverified nature of the Wasilewska study.

For information on the known, evidence-based SIDS risk factors, go to http://www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleeping/

ALTE and SIDS

The study poses an unverified hypothesis that there is a potential link between ß-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), from breastmilk, cow’s milk and infant formula containing casein, and apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants, which the researchers incorrectly labelled “near miss SIDS”.

An apparent life-threatening event is not a specific medical diagnosis, but a description of an acute, unexpected change in an infant’s breathing, which requires medical attention. In early SIDS research, such an episode was thought to be a precursor to SIDS, and the term “near miss SIDS” was coined. However subsequent studies, since the 1980s, have failed to establish a clear association between such an episode and SIDS, and as such, the term “near miss SIDS” is no longer used.

BCM-7

Different types of β-casomorphins-7 (BCM-7) are components of breast milk, cow’s milk and most infant formulas which may be released upon digestion.

In a review in 2009 of the potential health impact of β-casomorphins, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found no clear evidence to support a link with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The Infant Nutrition Council supports the view of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority that there is no reliable evidence to suggest that BCM-7 in infant formula is harmful. This view is based on the detailed review conducted by EFSA of the available scientific literature that addresses possible health effects of beta-casein (particularly a milk protein called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM7) and related peptides in milk and other foods). EFSA states:

“Based on the present review of available scientific literature, a cause-effect relationship between the oral intake of BCM7 or related peptides and aetiology or course of any suggested non-communicable diseases cannot be established. Consequently, a formal EFSA risk assessment of food-derived peptides is not recommended”.

Infant Feeding and SIDS

Breastmilk is the best food for babies and is recommended as the preferred option for infant nutrition. However if a baby is not being breastfed, the only safe alternative that will supply all the baby’s nutritional requirements is infant formula. There is no evidence that babies fed infant formula are at an increased risk of SIDS.

SIDS has occurred in both breastfed and formula fed infants and many scientific studies have been undertaken about SIDS and breastfeeding.

There is no doubt that breastfeeding is an important element in baby’s health and nutrition but neither SIDS and Kids nor the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID) believe the evidence permits a clear statement that breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.

The SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping health promotion program is responsible for reducing the incidence of SIDS in Australia by 85%. To reduce the risk of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents SIDS and Kids says:

1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding)
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life