Pressure volume characteristics of the lungs in sudden infant death syndrome.

Data on the pressure volume characteristics of left lungs obtained from 23 babies dying from sudden infant death syndrome were compared with results from 18 length-matched babies dying from established but primarily non-pulmonary causes. Volume distension at 30 cm of water and deflation flow volume characteristics were very similar in the two groups. These findings do not suggest that babies dying from sudden infant death syndrome have abnormally stiff lungs.