Immunohistochemical characterisation of the costochondral junction in SIDS.

AIM

To characterise the distribution of major growth plate proteoglycans in a group of infants who died of SIDS.

METHODS

Nine such infants and eight age matched controls were selected from the necropsy files at the Adelaide Children's Hospital. Sections of rib and adjacent costal cartilage were stained for chondroitin-4-sulphate, chondroitin-6-sulphate, and keratan sulphate with antibodies 2-B-6, 3-B-3, and 5-D-4, respectively, using standard techniques.

RESULTS

The distribution of proteoglycans within the extracellular matrix of the costochondral junction in the group of SIDS infants was identical with that found in control infants.

CONCLUSION

Any changes present in the growth plate in cases of SIDS are most likely caused by secondary phenomena.