Insight into pathophysiology of sudden infant death syndrome

Physiological studies that have been undertaken in children with apparent life-threatening events point to disturbances of the autonomic nervous system and brain stem abnormalities. These abnormalities are manifested as breathing dysfunctions and sleeping patterns, as well as heart rate variability. The diminished arousal response in infants who are exposed to intermittent hypoxia can be fatal during conditions when oxygen availability is limited. This inference well explains well the success of campaigns for supine sleeping position, which associated with the decrease in the rate of sudden infant syndrome deaths.

apparent life-threaten-ing event, sudden infant death syn-drome, autonomic nervous system, sleep

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