Skin temperatures and respiratory rates in subsequent siblings of infants who died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Overnight polysomnographic recordings were obtained in 26 subsequent siblings of SIDS and 26 age matched controls when they were three months of age. Skin and room temperatures during quiet sleep (QS) as well as respiratory rates were analyzed. There were no significant differences in the temperature of the room during laboratory monitoring. However, skin temperatures were slightly higher in subsequent siblings of SIDS compared to control infants (36.0 degree C vs 35.2 degree C, P< 0.025). Respiratory rates were also elevated in this group of subsequent siblings of SIDS (28.2 breaths per minute vs 26.0 breaths per minute, p< 0.05).