Arousal and upper airway resistance (UAR).
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to investigate upper airway resistance (UAR) in infants and children and presence/absence of electroencephalogram (EEG) arousal.


METHODS
Polysomnography with nasal cannula/pressure transducer and esophageal manometry; pattern recognition of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in children. Identification of visually scored arousals in response to SDB. Power spectrum analysis of EEG associated with SDB.


RESULTS
Several breathing patterns and change in heart rate (HR) can be seen with abnormal UAR during sleep. SDB may end with or without visual arousal. Power spectrum analysis shows different EEG patterns with termination of UAR and SDB. HR is also variably modified.


CONCLUSIONS
Airway reopening and decline in UAR is associated with variable central nervous system activation and only intermittently with arousals.
Guilleminault
Christian
C
Stanford University Sleep Disorders Clinic, 401 Quarry Road, Suite 3301 A, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. cguil@leland.stanford.edu
Poyares
Dalva
D