Butyrylcholinesterase Level in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Variation by Prenatal Smoking Status
Date of Award
Summer 7-26-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Medical Science (MMSc)
First Advisor
Kirsten Bechtel, MD
Abstract
Butyrylcholinesterase is an enzyme with growing evidence as a potential biomarker for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Prior research suggests an association between low butyrylcholinesterase levels and an increased vulnerability to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, it is unclear how this varies by known risk factors, such as prenatal smoking, which has been shown to potentially contribute to altered cholinergic regulation. We propose a case-control study to investigate the association between butyrylcholinesterase activity levels and infants who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and assess whether this varies by prenatal smoking status. A sample of 128 infants who died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and 128 infants who died from other causes, with their newborn heel sticks and postmortem reporting forms will be analyzed. Our findings can inform clinicians of the effect of a known risk factor on the level of a potential biomarker to guide education and prevention.
Recommended Citation
Peh, Caroline, "Butyrylcholinesterase Level in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Variation by Prenatal Smoking Status" (2024). Yale School of Medicine Physician Associate Program Theses. 223.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/ysmpa_theses/223
Comments
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