Diaphragm fatigue and workload factors synergistically contribute to diaphragm cramp in SIDS

Diaphragm fatigue in infants is caused by a variety of factors that are believed to act synergistically, contributing to a critical level where cramp may occur. Like a limb cramp, diaphragm cramp is triggered by a workload surge (e.g. REM sleep, airway obstruction or prone positioning). Numbers refer to supporting citations and are available here in PDF format.

Explosion diagram with "diaphragm fatigue" written in the center, surrounded by over a dozen causes. Some major ones include young, premature and male infants (weaker diaphragms), viral infections (diaphragm myositis), overheating (diaphragm myopathy) and rebreathing exhaled gases (hypoxia and hypercapnia weaken the diaphragm).

Explosion diagram with “diaphragm fatigue” written in the center, surrounded by over a dozen causes. Some major ones include young, premature and male infants (weaker diaphragms), viral infections (diaphragm myositis), overheating (diaphragm myopathy) and rebreathing exhaled gases (hypoxia and hypercapnia weaken the diaphragm).

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