title: Cardiovascular control during sleep in infants: Implications for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
abstract: In infants the cardiorespiratory system undergoes significant functional maturation after birth and these changes are sleep-state dependent. Given the immaturity of these systems it is not surprising that infants are at risk of cardiorespiratory instability, especially during sleep. A failure of cardiovascular control mechanisms in particular is believed to play a role in the final event of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The "triple risk model" describes SIDS as an event that results from the intersection of three overlapping factors: (1) a vulnerable infant, (2) a critical development period in homeostatic control, and (3) an exogenous stressor. This review summarises normal development of cardiovascular control during sleep in infants and describes the association of impaired cardiovascular control with the three overlapping factors proposed to be involved in SIDS pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Ritchie Centre for Baby Health Research, Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. rosemary.horne@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Rosemary S C
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: Nicole B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Witcombe
authors.forename: Stephanie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Yiallourou
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scaillet
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thiriez
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Franco
mesh_terms: D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology*