title: Arousals in infants.
abstract: Polygraphic studies of stimulus-induced arousals from sleep in young infants have identified a highly consistent sequence of reflex responses occurring during the 2-4 second period prior to full behavioral arousal. The initial responses in this sequence are an augmented breath (sigh) coupled with a sleep startle that is then followed by stereotyped "thrashing" motor activity. Partial arousals, identified by early components of the sequence (a sigh or a sigh plus startle), were frequently elicited. Startles and thrashing activity were identified as having a significant external airway protective function during mild asphyxia induced by covering the infants' nasal and oral airways.
authors.affiliation: Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: B T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Thach
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lijowska
mesh_terms: D001143:Arousal; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013216:Reflex, Startle; D012119:Respiration; D012890:Sleep; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide