Objective: The evolution of sleep-disordered breathing and sleeping patterns in a group of high-risk infants was studied throughout the first year of life.
Methodology: Eleven infants with documented sleep apnoea underwent overnight polysomnographic studies at monthly intervals to 6 months, then at 9 and 12 months of age.
Results: All infants had central apnoea and obstructive events recorded on their initial sleep studies. The sleep-disordered breathing in these infants was associated with disturbed sleeping patterns. The amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep recorded in each study was inversely proportional to the amount of apnoea. The amount of apnoea and sleep disturbances were highest at 2 months of age and then progressively improved and obstructive events resolved by 1 year of age.
Conclusions: The respiratory abnormalities and sleep disturbances peaked in severity at the age reported to have the highest incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and may have implications for its aetiology.