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ARTICLE:
Warren G. Guntheroth and Philip S. Spiers
Thermal Stress in Sudden Infant Death: Is There an Ambiguity With the Rebreathing Hypothesis?
Pediatrics 2001; 107: 693-698 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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James Michael Howard   (3 April 2001)

Untitled 3 April 2001
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James Michael Howard,
Biologist
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jmhoward{at}sprynet.com James Michael Howard

It is my hypothesis that SIDS is due to low levels of DHEA during sleep. This is derived from my explanation of sleep which generates a subordinate hypothesis that excessive heat will reduce DHEA. In the following abstract, administration of DHEA saved experimental animals from heat stress. Infants who are prone to very low levels of DHEA during sleep may experience lethal levels of low DHEA during heat stress.

“Six groups each of 12 male albino rats were reared from day 21 of life at temperatures of 23, 34 or 37 degrees C. While the rats survived for unlimited periods at 23 and 34 degrees C, the animals reared at 37 degrees C succumbed within 5 days to heat stress. The latter group, when injected s.c. or i.p. with 50 mg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA)/kg/day were no longer affected by the heat.” (J Endocrinol 1975; 67: 99-103)

James Michael Howard 1037 Woolsey Avenue Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701-2046