92000E3794

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3794/00

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(7 December 2000)

Subject: SIDS research project

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), also called cot death, and stillbirth, the unforeseen death of a foetus, are two of the biggest problems from the scientific point of view and where State health services are concerned that modern medicine has yet to solve.

In sudden infant death syndrome, an apparently healthy infant between a month and a year old dies out of the blue and without warning. The condition affects 1 in 500 to 1 000 infants born and is the most frequent cause of death in the first year of life. The unexpected death of the foetus at the final stage of pregnancy is five times as common, despite the latest advances in maternity care. The emotional consequences for the relatives are devastating, and medical and psychotherapeutic support entails very substantial costs to society, without considering the untimely loss of a large number of potentially productive individuals.

A fuller understanding of these syndromes, which occur in the perinatal and neonatal periods both still shrouded in such deep mystery would undoubtedly lead to immense scientific and financial benefits. There is as yet no standard systematic approach to the conditions at clinical level. Further, extremely delicate research on a microscopic scale is accordingly required, but this could be carried out only in highly specialised centres.

In the light of the foregoing and of the social repercussions can the Commission say whether it has made provision in its research programmes for projects to probe into the subjects referred to above? If not, would it be willing to support research projects focusing on the neurocardiac disorders associated with SIDS and foetal death?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2001)

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is seen as a serious problem in all Member States. There is a distinct variation in the diagnosis (identification of at risk infants) and also attribution of the causes of infant death.

With this in mind the Commission, under the Biomed 1 (1990-1994), supported a project involving 15 centres from 12 Member States. The main objective was to harmonise clinical protocols in this network. By combining data from these centres and with analysis exploiting differences between the Member States, the network resulted in providing data which contributed to improving the effectiveness of child care. Additional factors considered also included clothing, bedding, heating and co-sleeping. This project has contributed, both at national and European level, to providing guidelines for the identification of at risk families, surveillance procedures for at risk infants and support groups for parents who have lost an infant.

Currently, no project on this subject is being funded, however should a new application be submitted which expands upon the existing knowledge and is innovative, it could be submitted to the quality of life and managing of living resources programme of the Fifth framework programme for Research and technological development (RTD), under public health research.