Arousals in infants.
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.
Thach
B T
BT
Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Lijowska
A
A
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
D002245:Carbon Dioxide