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I would be very grateful if you would show this theory to anyone who could either point out flaws in the theory or help me to prove this theory.

ASTBURY'S INFANT DEATH GLUCAGON THEORY

I have recently submitted a theory on "infant death syndrome" to the pharmaceutical journal U.K. and "The foundation for the study of infant death U.K." the letter read as follows:

There appear to be very few glucagon deficient patients. I presume this is because of one of two reasons:

Either it is difficult to be glucagon deficient or glucagon deficient patients are dying before they are detected.

Are "cot death children" tested for blood glucose levels or ability to produce glucagon. If anyone has done any research in this area please direct me in the direction of any papers etc.Or please point out any obvious flaws in this simple hypothesis.

Martin Astbury registration number: 86801

martin@astburym.freeserve.co.uk

None of my fellow professionals have been able to point out any obvious flaws in this theory. (see attached letter from The foundation for the study of infant death)

Briefly put in layman's terms:

glucagon does the opposite to insulin: helps the conversion of insoluble glycogen into soluble glucose.

When a baby is breast fed or fed using formula some of the nutrition from the food will be released for immediate use as energy (glucose and fatty acids), insulin is released and excess glucose is converted into glycogen. This glycogen can then be utilised during periods of starvation i.e. between meals, Glucagon is released which converts glycogen into glucose .A child that can not produce glucagon can not utilise stored glycogen between feeds. Note 1 This is not a problem when a child is new born because as glucose levels decrease the baby will cry and parents will feed thus increasing glucose blood levels again. As time between feeds is increased glucose deprivation to vital organs may start to take place , eventually becoming fatal. The baby will grow at a normal rate because nutritional building blocks are still being absorbed at normal rate.

Reply from Laura at the SIDS website

Dear Martin,

Thank you so much for visiting our web site, and forwarding your information on the glucagon theory. I personally have not heard of this theory, but I am going to forward your information to a couple of our researchers to get their opinion. I will also forward it to our medical/scientific advisory board for their review. I will get back with you if I hear anything, or have them contact you directly.

Thanks again, my best to you in your work.

Laura Reno
Information and Referral Coordinator

SIDSlaura@aol.com

18 May 2000 16:55