Scientists have discovered a rare genetic mutation that leads to about 10 per cent of cot deaths.
As a result of the breakthrough, detection through pre-natal tests may soon be available for women who lost their first child to cot death, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Experts still do not know what causes most cot deaths. It could be linked to overheating, parental smoking, soft bedding or laying the baby face down or on its side.
On average five to 10 babies in Hong Kong die of cot death each year.
The genetic mutation reveals itself as carnitine deficiency disease. Only 40 families worldwide are said to harbour the gene.
In 1994, the first Hong Kong infant died of the genetic disease, which kills apparently healthy babies under the age of one.
