Apneas During Sleep in Infants: Possible Relationship with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Upper airway apnea appears to induce the greatest changes: oxygen desaturation is more pronounced than in a central apnea of similar duration, and secondary cardiac changes are observed earlier and are more severe.

Abstract

Several types of apnea are described in premature infants and in infants who have survived breathing-stoppage episodes which may be related to the sudden infant death syndrome. Upper airway apnea appears to induce the greatest changes: oxygen desaturation is more pronounced than in a central apnea of similar duration, and secondary cardiac changes are observed earlier and are more severe.