Uncovering Diaphragm Cramp in SIDS and Other Sudden Unexpected Deaths

The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration. Here, we disclose a fascinating patient's perspective that led, by clinical reasoning alone, to a novel mechanism of spontaneous respiratory arrests termed diaphragm cramp-contracture (DCC). Although the 7-year-old boy survived its paroxysmal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Diagnostics (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.14 (20), p.2324
Main Authors: Gebien, Dov Jordan, Eisenhut, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Airway management
Airway obstruction (Medicine)
Analysis
apnea
Arrests
Cardiac arrhythmia
Care and treatment
Complications and side effects
contraction band necrosis
Creatine kinase
DCC
Diaphragm
diaphragm cramp
diaphragm fatigue
diaphragm spasm
Electromyography
Fatigue
Hypoxia
Medical examination
Newborn babies
Opinion
Pain
Premature babies
Prevention
Risk factors
Sleep
Sudden infant death syndrome
Workloads
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:The diaphragm is the primary muscle of respiration. Here, we disclose a fascinating patient's perspective that led, by clinical reasoning alone, to a novel mechanism of spontaneous respiratory arrests termed diaphragm cramp-contracture (DCC). Although the 7-year-old boy survived its paroxysmal nocturnal "bearhug pain apnea" episodes, essentially by breathing out to breathe in, DCC could cause sudden unexpected deaths in children, especially infants. Diaphragm fatigue is central to the DCC hypothesis in SIDS. Most, if not all, SIDS risk factors contribute to it, such as male sex, young infancy, rebreathing, nicotine, overheating and viral infections. A workload surge by a roll to prone position or REM-sleep inactivation of airway dilator or respiratory accessory muscles can trigger pathological diaphragm excitation (e.g., spasms, flutter, cramp). Electromyography studies in preterm infants already show that diaphragm fatigue and sudden temporary failure by transient spasms induce apneas, hypopneas and forced expirations, all leading to hypoxemic episodes. By extension, prolonged spasm as a diaphragm cramp would induce sustained apnea with severe hypoxemia and cardiac arrest if not quickly aborted. This would cause a sudden, rapid, silent death consistent with SIDS. Moreover, a unique airway obstruction could develop where the hypercontracted diaphragm resists terminal inspiratory efforts by the accessory muscles. It would disappear postmortem. SIDS autopsy evidence consistent with DCC includes disrupted myofibers and contraction band necrosis as well as signs of agonal breathing from obstruction. Screening for diaphragm injury from hypoxemia, hyperthermia, viral myositis and excitation include serum CK-MM and skeletal troponin-I. Active excitation could be visualized on ultrasound or fluoroscopy and monitored by respiratory inductive plethysmography or electromyography.
ISSN:2075-4418
2075-4418
DOI:10.3390/diagnostics14202324