SIDS and near-SIDS

Abstract

Apnea and Respiratory ControlBecause sudden death without an obvious cause implies the cessation of autonomie regulation of cardiovascular or respiratory activity or both, it is important to understand how normal control mechanisms maintain ventilation and prevent or terminate apnea. It is even more pertinent because several investigators have identified abnormal breathing patterns or control mechanisms in infants in whom sudden-infant-death syndrome (SIDS) later occurred.Regulation of Skeletal Muscles of RespirationThis is a rapidly evolving area of research. Here we review only the features that are considered important to an understanding of episodic apnea or hypoventilation. The respiratory control . . .