Could Endorphins Be Implicated in Sudden-Infant-Death Syndrome?

To the Editor: In the October 16 issue, Brandt et al.¹ described a hyper-endorphin syndrome in a child who had recurrent episodes of unconsciousness, apnea, and occasional slightly depressed respiration. Aspects of this case report bear a resemblance to features that have been noted in the sudden-infant-death syndrome (SIDS) as well as in infants who have survived “near-miss” SIDS. These similarities, coupled with additional data published in the field, lead us to suggest that excessive endorphin activity may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SIDS. Specifically, in infants with SIDS or near-miss SIDS and infants with near-miss SIDS who later.