1025 DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF HEART RATE, RESPIRATORY RATE, AND APNEA DURING SLEEP IN NORMAL INFANTS

Abstract

Post natal age related changes in cardiac and respiratory variables were examined in 49 infants (premature to 6 months of age) by multi-channel polygraphic recordings of heart rates (HR), respiratory rates (RR), and apnea measured as percent time of sleep spent in apnea of 5-20 seconds duration (AP), during quiet sleep (QS) and rapid eye movement sleep (REM). Statistically significant age and sleep state related changes were demonstrated for HR, RR, and AP. HR and RR decreased significantly from the premature to the newborn infants (25% and 32% respectively); increased from the newborn to the 1 month infants (25% and 75% respectively); decreased again during the next 3 to 4 months to levels intermediate to those of newborn and 1 month infants. HR and RR were higher during REM than during QS across all age groups. AP was highest among premature infants (2.5%), decreased among newborn infants (0.1%), but increased significantly in infants 2 to 4 months of age (1.5%). Across all age groups AP during REM was higher then during QS. The oscillatory nature of HR, RR, and AP demonstrated in this study in normal infants during maturation probably reflects the development of the autonomic control of cardiac and respiratory functions. Exaggeration of these oscillations may be responsible for prolonged apnea and bradycardia in some infants subsequent to the newborn period.

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