[An unusual cause of near-miss sudden death in infants: intermittent volvulus of the small intestine on the mesenterium commune].

A 1 month-old girl presented with severe asphyxia during sleep. Her weight was the same as at birth. The day before the accident she had cried a great deal and had vomited her feeds. Small bowel volvulus was diagnosed. Surgical cure led to the disappearance of all symptoms with a one year follow-up. Episodes of asphyxia require detailed histories. Alkaline esophageal reflux may reveal an anatomic intestinal obstruction and lead to laryngospasm, identical to the one induced by acid reflux.