Estimation of Mean Nuclear Volume of Neocortical Neurons in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Cases Using the Nucleator Estimator Technique

At present, no information is available with regards to either neocortical neuronal mean nuclear volume or maturation (functional or morphological) in abnormal paediatric brains. Using the nucleator estimator technique, the mean neocortical nuclear volume was estimated in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) cases [10 normal birth weight (NBW) and 10 low birth weight (LBW) cases classified by birth weight for gestational age] and compared to 10 NBW control cases. Both the control and SIDS LBW cases showed an increase in mean nuclear volume with age; the SIDS NBW cases showed no increase. At 8 months, the SIDS NBW cases showed a reduced mean nuclear volume (p = 0.02) when compared to controls. The SIDS LBW cases showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.10) when compared with controls. A deficiency in mean neuronal nuclear volume may represent a deficiency in neuronal function.