Bacteria linked to SIDS deaths

LONDON, May 31 (UPI) -- Researchers at a British hospital said bacterial infection may be a significant cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

A review of 546 infant deaths at Great Ormond Street Hospital between 1996 and 2005 found that those with an unexplained cause of death were more likely to have a bacterial infection than those who had died of known causes, the Guardian newspaper said Thursday.

The study is published in the Lancet.

While researchers said there appears to be an association between SIDS and bacteria, they cannot be sure the infections caused the deaths.

"One could not now 'diagnose' any particular unexplained case, since we know bacteria are often present even when unconnected to the death," the hospital said.