Analysis of the mitochondrial genome in sudden infant death syndrome

AIM: To investigate the mitochondrial genome and its association with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). METHODS: Twenty SIDS infants were screened for previously reported mitochondrial DNA mutations using direct sequencing. The whole mitochondrial genome was also sequenced for six of the infants. RESULTS: Three substitutions, A11467G, A12308G and G12372A, comprising a haplogroup were present in four infants diagnosed as pure SIDS. This haplogroup was also common in a control group. CONCLUSIONS: No specific mutation or polymorphism was found in association with SIDS.