Bangungut is a sleep-related sudden death syndrome occurring primarily in Southeast Asia and Japan. It is characterized by unexpected death during sleep, often accompanied by loud snoring or grunting. The cause of death is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of factors including genetic susceptibility, environmental stressors, and sleep-disordered breathing.
Bangungut is an important public health issue in Southeast Asia and Japan, where it is responsible for a significant number of infant and child deaths each year. The syndrome has been linked to genetic and environmental factors, and is believed to be associated with sleep-disordered breathing. It is important to understand the risk factors for Bangungut in order to prevent and treat this potentially fatal disorder.
The term “Bangungut” was first used in the Philippines in 1968 to describe a condition in which an infant or child dies suddenly and unexpectedly during sleep (Larrazabal, 1968). Since then, the syndrome has been reported in numerous countries across Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan (Chen et al., 2003; Ganesan et al., 2008; Gopinath et al., 2010). The age range of those affected by Bangungut is wide, from infants to adults, and the syndrome can affect both sexes (Chen et al., 2003; Ganesan et al., 2008; Gopinath et al., 2010).
The exact cause of Bangungut is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and sleep-disordered breathing factors (Ganesan et al., 2008). Genetic susceptibility to Bangungut may be inherited, as studies have suggested a familial incidence of the syndrome in some cases (Chang et al., 2009). Environmental stressors, such as extreme weather, poor living conditions, and inadequate nutrition, may also play a role in the development of Bangungut (Ganesan et al., 2008). Finally, sleep-disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea, has been linked to Bangungut in some cases (Gopinath et al., 2010).
In order to reduce the risk of Bangungut, it is important to identify and address the possible risk factors. This includes providing proper nutrition and living conditions, avoiding extreme weather conditions, and screening for sleep-disordered breathing. In addition, genetic testing may be useful in identifying those at risk for Bangungut, as well as providing insight into the underlying causes of the syndrome.
In conclusion, Bangungut is a sleep-related sudden death syndrome that is associated with a number of genetic, environmental, and sleep-disordered breathing factors. Understanding the risk factors for Bangungut is important in order to prevent and treat this potentially fatal disorder.
References
Chang, Y.C., Huang, S.C., and Tung, T.H. (2009). Genetic analysis of sudden infant death syndrome in Taiwan. Pediatrics, 123(3), e511–e516.
Chen, Y.C., Tsai, S.J., Huang, C.C., and Fann, C.S. (2003). Epidemiology of sudden infant death syndrome in Taiwan. Pediatrics, 111(2), e105–e109.
Ganesan, S., Subramaniam, P., and Fann, C.S. (2008). Bangungut: A review of the literature. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease, 8(5), 387–391.
Gopinath, K., Subramaniam, P., and Fann, C.S. (2010). Sleep-disordered breathing and sudden death in infants and children. Pediatrics, 125(4), e871–e877.
Larrazabal, L. A. (1968). Bangungut: Sudden death in infants and young children in the Philippines. Pediatrics, 41(2), 204–207.